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PRESENTED BY" * 


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John Shofner, 

1787-1857. 



THE HISTORY 



OF 



One Branch of the Shoffner Family 



OR 



JOHN SHOFNER 



AND HIS DESCENDANTS 



INCLUDING ALSO 



Records of the Shoffner Reunions 



BY 

C. L SHOFFNER, B.S., LLB. 



Nashville, Tenn. 

McQuiDDY Printing Company 

1905 



, 4 












PREFACE. 



At the first reunion of the Shoffner family — Septem- 
ber 5-7, 1900- — a historical committee, composed of nine 
members, was appointed by the chairman, Mr. Chris. 
H. Shofner, eight of these representing the branches of 
Martin Shofner's family, and the ninth representing 
Martin's brother, Peter Shofner. Since that time most 
of those on this committee have been working faithfully, 
and several are now ready with their reports. Every 
one is looking forward to the time, and all hope that it 
is not far distant, when every member on the committee 
will report "^ ready " and the work be prepared for com- 
piling into one complete volume. 

In getting up this data, the usual obstacles of all 
such undertakings had to be surmounted. Doubtful 
traditions, unreliable and incomplete records, slow cor- 
respondence, careless answers, and a natural obscurity 
which time casts over all events in the distant past, all 
tend to mislead the one searching after the true facts. 
But with the careful assistance we have had from older 
people, the access to records of pioneer times that were 
well kept, and the energetic efforts of our colaborers in 
this work, we have assurances that this volume presents 
many facts that should be preserved to posterity. We 
earnestly hope that this effort is the beginning of greater 
strides toward crystallizing and perpetuating pioneer 
and ancestral history. 

In presenting this volume to the relatives and the 



8 Preface. 

public in general, no pretension is made at offering a 
perfect work. It is submitted as representing a consid- 
erable amount of labor, large correspondence, and re- 
search among many old records. Changes, corrections, 
and comments in general will be carefully considered if 
presented to your committeeman in writing. 

If in this small volume an interest in family tradi- 
tion, a pride in ancestry, a deeper brotherly feeling to- 
ward our kinsman and our fellow-man, a greater rever- 
ence for the flag our forefathers helped to unfurl over 
this country, is in the least fostered, cherished, and aug- 
mented, then we must feel that our efforts have not been 
wholly in vain. 

In the preparation of this work, gathering the data, 
and writing biographical sketches, the editor in chief 
received the valuable services of Mrs. Hattie J. Shoff- 
ner, Mrs. Ann Woosley, T. J. Shoffner, William S. Wells, 
Mrs. J. E. Shoffner, Mrs. Amelia Silvertooth, Miss 
Fannye McConnell, Mrs. John W. Wirsching, Miss Mat- 
tie Coleman, Mrs. Belle Coleman, Col. William J. Shof- 
ner, and Mrs. C. L. Shoffner, who not only corrected 
the manuscript, but assisted in the arrangement of the 
work. Many others, too, kindly gave a helping hand 
when called upon. 

All communications regarding the subject-matter 
should be addressed to C. L. Shoffner, Honaker, Va. 



INTRODUCTION. 



For some years it has been the main object with the 
prime movers of the annual Shoffner reunion to have 
published a complete history of the family since land- 
ing on American soil. Such a history would begin with 
the landing of Michael Shoffner in Philadelphia, about 
1760, and continue down to the present day. 

]\Iichael Shoffner, the pioneer, was born in Germany 
in 1721, near Frankfort-on-the-Main ; and soon after 
landing at Philadelphia he removed to Orange County, 
N". C, where he died in 1800. Here he reared four 
sons and one daughter — Michael, George, Martin, Peter, 
and Magdalena. Three of these sons served in the Eev- 
olutionary War, under General Greene for the most 
part, but at times were with Steuben and DeKalb. The 
daughter married a Mr. i^nthony, and was the mother 
of ten children. These sons also reared families, some 
of them large, but many of them going to different 
States, until to-day they are scattered almost through- 
out the Union. 

The third child of Michael, the elder, was Martin, 
who, in turn, reared ten children. Martin was born 
in 1758 ; moved to Tennessee in 1808, where he died in 
1838. He settled in Bedford County, on Thompson's 
Creek, near where the Shoffner Lutheran Church now 
stands. The chapters of the following history are de- 
voted to the life of the fifth child of Martin Shoffner, 
or John Shofner and his descendants. 



10 Introduction. 

In Germany the name ^yas " Schaeffner ; " but since 
coming to America it has been Anglicized into " Shoff- 
ner," or " Shofner," as the different members of the 
famil}^ prefer. 

In the preparation of this work your editor in chief 
has deemed it best to make three divisions of the subject- 
matter. 

Part I. gives the history of the life of John Shof- 
ner in six chapters. Nine chapters in this part are 
devoted to life sketches of Ms children, and one chapter 
reproduces the " History of the Shoffner Family in Ten- 
nessee '' as written by Col. Loton Shofner. 

Part II. gives a chronological history of the descend- 
ants of John Shofner. As it was not practicable to 
mention each one in the life sketches in Part I., the in- 
tention is to herein give the name of every one, to- 
gether with the dates of births, deaths, marriages, and 
present location. Some mistakes may be found in this, 
and some names may be left out; but your committee- 
man has earnestly endeavored to correctly tabulate this 
data as it has been given him. 

Part III. is entirely devoted to a history of the fam- 
ily reunions; and for the preparation of this we are 
indebted to " Cousin Yinnie,^' Mrs. Chris. H. Shofner. 



CONTENTS. 



PART I. 

Chapter I. page. 
Early Life of John Shofner 15 

Chapter IL 
Business and Political Career 19 

Chapter III. 
Education 21 

Chapter IV. 
Slavery 25 

Chapter V. 
Home Life 29 

Chapter VI. 
Evening of Life 33 

Chapter VII. 
Joel Shoffner and John R. Shoffner 37 

Chapter VIII. 
Loton Shofner 45 

Chapter IX. 
" History of the Shoffner Family in Tennessee " 49 

Chapter X. 
Michael Shoffner 53 

Chapter XI. 
Mary Boyers 59 



12 Contents. 

Chapter XII. 
Julia B. Morton 63 

Chapter XIII. 
Daniel M. Shofner 67 

Chapter XIV. 
Martha Dyer 71 

Chapter XV. 
Jane Hester 75 

Chapter XVI. 
The Second Marriage 79 

PART II. 
ChrDnological History 83 

PART III. 

First Reunion 107 

Second Reunion 116 

TMrd Reunion 121 

Fourth Reunion 123 

Fifth Reunion 126 

Sixth Reunion 129 



PART L 



CHAPTER L 



EARLY LIFE. 



The subject of our sketch was born in Orange County, 
N. C, February 23, 1787, son of Martin Shofner, being 
the fifth child in a family of ten children. His boy- 
hood days were spent in the parental home; and al- 
thougli the means for education were very much limited, 
yet the father and mother instilled into him and his 
brothers and sisters the principles of right and justice. 
When quite young, he developed a great fondness for 
reading; and this grew with the years of his life, prov- 
ing not only a source of great pleasure, but a valuable 
means of self -improvement. 

While still quite young, John Shofner first came to 
Tennessee with Newton Cannon, afterwards Governor 
of the State, and assisted in surveying a vast portion of 
what is now Bedford County. At that time in many 
places the dense canebrakes and vast forests were almost 
impenetrable, and settlements were few and far between. 
The " History of Tennessee " says that the first perma- 
nent settlements were made in the territory that is now 
Bedford County in 1805 and 1806, the county not be- 
ing formed until 1807, and that the Shofners were 
among the first settlers. 

After spending two years in this new country, young 
John, in about 1805, returned to his relatives in Xorth 
Carolina. From his glowing accounts of this land of 



16 Shoffner History. 

promise it was not long before the father, Martin Shof- 
ner, and his brother, Peter, together with Martin's sons — 
Christopher, Frederick, and Austin — ^were wending their 
wa}^ over the rugged mountains toward Tennessee. 
John remained in Xorth Carolina a few years longer 
in order to get married and prepare otherwise for spend- 
ing the rest of his days in the then distant West. He 
married in 1810; and in 1815 he and his good wife, 
Amelia, joined the relatives in Bedford County. 

The journey across was long and tiresome, being 
made in covered wagons along bad roads and through 
forests unbroken, except occasionally by the hut and 
clearing of some pioneer, the Indian paths, and now 
and then a wagon road. But these forefathers were 
undaunted by such trials, and did not hesitate to make 
the journey with their families. Then, too, after reach- 
ing their destination, houses had to be built and land 
cleared; but they met these obligations with the deter- 
mination that always succeeds. 

After locating on his farm and getting his family well 
provided for, John Shofner took an active part in de- 
veloping the country in every way he could. He was 
ever ready to assist at logrollings, house raisings, corn 
huskings, and, in fact, wherever he could serve his 
neighbor, he was always there. 

Not only did he thus help in clearing and developing 
the country, but he was ever ready to serve his State 
when called upon, as the following, issued ^larch 22, 
1823, will testify: 

"John Shofner : You must attend the following mus- 
ters — viz. : The Saturday before the first Friday in 
April, company muster; first Friday in April, battalion 



Early Life. 17 

muster; battalion court-martial on the first Thursday in 
June ; on the fourth Thursday in September, regimental 
muster; company muster on the Saturday before the 
fourth Thursda}^ in September ; regimental court-martial 
on the fourth Thursday in November. (Signed) 
James D. Norvell, Capt. 28th Keg., T. M.'^ 



CHAPTER IL 



BUSINESS AND POLITICAL CAREER. 



Besides being an influential farmer, for many years 
John Shofner was an extensive operator of cotton gins, 
he and his sons raising, buying, and selling cotton on a 
.arge scale and doing considerable custom work with 
their gins. Early in his career Mr. Shofner was granted 
license to manufacture hats and caps in Bedford County. 
At another time he was interested in the building and 
sale of the celebrated Pitts Grain Fans, laiown far and 
wide for their excellent qualities. This tannery was 
situated on Duck River, on the Shofner farm, and was 
operated by the firm of Shofner & Pitts. 

In 1815, when John Shofner returned from North 
Carolina, the political aspects of the country were un- 
dergoing great changes. Andrew Jackson was perhaps 
the most conspicuous figure in American politics; and 
with his election to the presidency we find the disinte- 
gration of the old Federalist party and the birth of a 
new one, the " Whig " party. John Shofner cast his 
lot with this new party, and in 1835 assisted in electing 
his old friend, Newton Cannon, Governor of the State 
over the popular " Reform Governor," William Carroll. 
In 1836 he supported Hugh Lawson White, the first 
Whig candidate for President. Then in 1840 he saw 
his party candidate, William Henry Harrison, elected 
as the first Whig President. In 1844 he took an active 



20 Shoffner History. 

interest in the noted Polk-Clay contest, assisting in car- 
r3dng the State of Tennessee for Henry Clay, although 
James K. Polk was elected President. In 1848 John 
Shofner was one of the election officers in his district; 
and at this election he saw the second Whig, Zachary 
Taylor, placed in the White House. 

In all the elections — county. State, and national — 
John Shofner always took a keen interest, and was ever 
ready to assist his party by all the honorable means at 
his command. He took great pride in the growth and 
development of the resources of the State; and when 
the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Eailway was 
built, he was one of its most ardent friends, hailing 
its advent through his part of the State with the greatest 
enthusiasm. He was one of the stockholders in the 
Shelbyville and Nashville Turnpike Company. 

Col. William J. Shofner, of Thompson's Creek, con- 
tributes the f ollowinar : 



'to 



'John Shofner was one of the most substantial and 
successful farmers in the county, and one whom the 
younger farmers always sought for advice. He was a 
progressive man from start to finish, possessing a good. 
Christian character, and always lenient to his neighbors. 
He was a leader in county politics, always battling for 
the cause and triumph of the Whig party. In fact, 
there might be volumes written in praise of his good 
qualities.'' 



CHAPTER IIL 



EDUCATION. 



The whole of John Shofner's schoolhouse training 
was done in Xorth Carolina, the State of his birth. 
This was very meager, but it was sufficient to lead him 
on to self-exertion toward a better preparation for life's 
duties. This was at a time when his daily labors con- 
sumed the daylight hours, for the most part; and young 
John had to seek his improvement as best he could by 
artificial light. He did not burn the midnight oil, as 
zealous scholars of this day and time do ; but of ttimes he 
kept the wood fires burning brightly until long into the 
night, reading by lying on the floor, so that the light 
would shine on the book; or else he would burn a pine 
knot, and as long as it lasted he would delve deep into 
the mysteries of some book. 

The first contrivance that he used was a burning cloth 
in grease held in a mussel shell. Then came the " tal- 
low dip,'' whereby a string was dipped in melted tallow 
and taken out to cool, and replaced again for several 
times until it had a thick coat of tallow on it, and then 
it was ready for lighting. Next came the tallow molds, 
by which the candle was cast at one melting; and this 
was a great improvement, indeed. We next find our 
ancestors reading from a light made from a real lamp, 
yet a lamp sq crude that the generation of to-day would 
not recognize it. It was made out of sheet iron, in a 



22 Shoffner History. 

cup shape, with a projecting handle that coukl be in- 
serted in the cracks in the wall and held firmly while 
dispelling the gloomy darkness. No oil had yet ap- 
peared, but in this we fmd melted tallow or grease do- 
ing service through a twisted piece of cloth for a wick. 
Then came kerosene, and with it lamps of all kinds; 
and these brought advancement in means of self-im- 
provement. 

When we of to-day see an old letter written one hun- 
dred years ago, we little realize at first thought the trou- 
ble that it was to the writer. The pen was made from 
a goose quill trimmed into something like the shape of 
the steel pen points of the present. The ink also was 
manufactured at home from the juice of ink balls that 
grow on oak trees, and to this was added a little copperas 
to give it a deep color. There was another process also, 
whereby it was made from logwood. Yet, after all this, 
we find some splendid scribes of pioneer days. So after 
realizing what small advantages our ancestors had for 
obtaining an education and how well they improved the 
little opportunity they did have, we surely can, with all 
due reverence, overlook the few mistakes we find in their 
spelling, writing, etc. 

In looking over the old letters left by John Shofner, 
one is struck forcibly at first by the absence of stam'ps 
and envelopes. To-day we would think that a letter 
could not be written without an envelope, but such was 
the case in this country until almost up to the time of 
the Civil War. The letters of those days were written 
on a large sheet of paper, a part of which was folded so 
as to encase the balance, and then a drop of ceiling wax- 
was placed on the back to hold it together. Postage 



Education. 23 

rates were from ten to twent5^-five cents for letters, ac- 
cording to the distance to be carried, and it then took 
weeks to reach its destination. Even after the three- 
cent stamp for letters came in, which was after 1850, 
no envelopes j'et were used in this part of the country. 

In the home life with his parents, brothers, and sis- 
ters, John vShofner used the German language; and this 
language he taught to his older children before they 
learned to speak English. German Bibles and German 
songs were used also. But in the little log schoolhouse 
that stood near where Jenkins' Chapel now stands, Eng- 
lish principally was taught; and gradually the children 
neglected the German, until it was finally discontinued 
as a means of communication. 

It was in this little schoolhouse, erected on John 
Shofner's land, that most of his children received their 
first schooling, as well as many more of the children of 
those times. It was here that Daniel M. (Dock) Shoff- 
ner, James Wardlow, and other schoolmasters of differ- 
ent times taught the "young idea how to shoot.'' 

John Shofner was not only a great reader himself 
during his whole career, but he placed the means before 
his children to keep them well informed on the events 
of the day. The following receipts are self-explanatory : 

" Nashville, 22 December, 1832. — Eeceived of Mr. 
John Shofner three dollars, in full, for subscription to 
the N^ational Banner (weeklv) for one year, ending 11th 
of May, 1833.— Hunt, Tardiff Co." 

" Mr. John Shoffner to W. F. Bang & Co., Dr. To 
subscription to the Weekly Eepublican Banner from 
Jany. 15, 1843, to 15 Jany., 181:4, $3. Eeceived pay- 



24 ' Shoffner History. 

ment, Jany. 19, 1843. — (Signed) M. 0. Harris, for 
W. F. Bang & Co., Nashville/' 

"Nashville True Whig Office, May 2, 1853.— Eecd. 
three dollars from Mr. John Shofner, for one year's 
subscription to the Weekly Nashville True Whig, from 
April 9, 1853, to April 9, 1854.— (Signed) B. K. Mc- 
Kennie.'' 

"John Shoffner to David P. Schaeffer, Dr. To sub- 
scription to the Evangelical Lutheran Intelligencer, 
from No. 1, Vol. 3, to No. 12, Vol. 3. Eeceived pay- 
ment, $1.50." 



CHAPTER IV. 



SLAVERY, 



Ati the time of his death John Shofner owned seven 
negroes, but at other times he had owned many more. 
He was alwa3's kind to them, and accorded them such 
care and treatment that they ahnost worshiped their 
master. He rarely ever chastised them, but governed 
through the kindlier means of persuasion. His spirit 
was not that of the master in " Uncle Tom^s Cabin/' 
but his was the true type of a Southern slaveholder. 

As the institution of slavery has long since passed, 
it may be interesting to the younger generations to know 
something of how the business was carried on during 
the lives of their forefathers. At a public sale a negro 
was placed upon a block three or four feet high, where 
all the spectators could get a good view of him; then the 
auctioneer would cry him off to the highest bidder, just 
as they do any other property now. An extra good slave 
would bring $1,500, and some few go higher; and chil- 
dren brought from $200 up. 

At the sale of John Shofner^s estate, among others, 
they put up a small negro boy, who was noted as a great 
dancer. While on the block, he began dancing; and 
the more he danced, the higher the bids went, until he 
was knocked off at $1,100. The sale of a slave was not 
good unless in writing, and it took a bill of sale and a 
guarantee of title to bind the trade. The following is 



26 Slioffner History. 

a true copy of a bill of sale made to Austin Shofner, 
November 19, 1838 : 

'^ Bedford County, Tennessee : We, the executors 
of Martin Shofner, deceast, have this day sold to Aus- 
tin Shofner a negro man named ' Dick,^ aged about 
thirty-two years, which we hereby convey to him and 
his heirs forever, for the sum of eight hundred and fifty- 
one dollars to us paid ; and we hereby convey the same to 
him and warrant the title to him from aney other per- 
son or persons whatsoever claiming. Witness our hands 
and seals this, the 19th day of November, 1838. 
(Signed) John Shofner (seal), F. Shofner (seal), ex- 
ecutors.^^ 

One of the interesting characters among the darkies 
of John Shofner was an old negro preacher by the name 
of " Eandle," whose personal reputation might have 
been improved by following his own teachings more 
closely, who, though he could not read, would exhort his 
colored companions to live better lives. His favorite 
text was, " The bigger the coon, the more the fur ; " 
and he would begin : " Bruddern and sistern, you will 
find my text somewhar in de Bible lids.'^ At a sorghum 
supper and barbecue given by William (Bud) Young 
about this time, one of the guests. Col. James Mullins, 
in answer to calls for a speech, rendered this old ne- 
gro's sermon on this text, and completely " brought down 
the house." 

At their father's sale Loton Shofner bought "Jack " 
for $1,500, aiid Michael bought '' Hart " for $1,000— 
two young negro brothers. The masters living near 
each other, at every opportunity these negroes would 
visit; and invariably they would fight and come home 



Slavery. 27 

for repairs. Jack was still living at last accounts in 
Nashville, where he seems to continue his fighting record. 
At the funeral of their mistress in 1849 and of their 
master in 1857 these colored people sincerely mourned 
their great loss^, which testified to "the loyalty of the 
slaves as well as the kindness of the owners. 



CHAPTER V. 



HOME LIFE. 



On his return to North Carolina after his first visit 
to Tennessee, John Shofner married Amelia Shofner, 
February 18, 1810, she being the daughter of his uncle, 
Michael Shofner. In 1815 John settled on Duck Kiver, 
about five miles from Shelby ville, on the farm now 
owned by Mrs. Margaret Wells, a lineal descendant of 
the Shofner family, where can be seen to-day many in- 
dications of his once active career. 

Here he reared a large family, the births of his chil- 
dren numbering fifteen. Ten of these — Joel, Loton 
(both born in North Carolina), Michael, Polly, Julia, 
Daniel, Martha, Jane, Belle, and John Clay — grew to 
manhood and womanhood and married, and in many 
respects followed the footsteps of their parents. Of the 
fifteen children, only three are living to-day — Mrs. Jane 
Hester, of Rover, Bedford County, Tenn. ; John C. Shof- 
ner, of Nashville, Tenn.; and Mrs. Belle Coleman, of 
Columbia, Tenn. The last" two named are children of 
his second wife. After their marriage, the children 
scattered all over the State; and the grandchildren have 
gone still farther, until to-day there are very few States 
in the Union in which some of these descendants can- 
not be found; and some have wandered to other coun- 
tries, and are seeking their fortunes there. 

In 1848 John Shofner, his wife, and daughter, Jane, 



30 Slioffner History. 

visited their relatives in Orange County, ^N". C, the 
journey being made in a carriage, one of the first of its 
kind, there being but one more similar to it in the 
county. This carriage was handmade and valued at 
$600, being built by Eev. William Jenkins, an expert 
carriage maker. It was the greatest delight of the chil- 
dren and grandchildren to get to play in and around 
it, running up and down the folding steps, and admiring 
its rich, red lining on the inside. It lasted for years, 
and was finally sold at the sale in 1857. 

On this trip to North Carolina it took them two weeks 
each way to make the journey. While there, they spent 
a month with relatives and friends, enjoying again the 
scenes of their childhood and the place of their birth. 
Not many months after returning to their Tennessee 
home Amelia died — August 24, 1849. She and her 
liusband had lived happily together for thirty-nine years, 
during which time she had become the mother of twelve 
children. 

Hers was an active career, having the oversight of a 
large family; and in the latter years of her life, besides 
children and grandchildren, she had to see to the com- 
fort of quite a number of families of slaves. This was 
the time that nearly all cloth was woven on the loom 
and clothing made by hand ; and while most of the actual 
labor was performed by the negro women, yet it was tlie 
housewife's duty to see that it was done rightly. These 
duties, and all others, she handled witli a resolution that 
made her mistress of all occasions; and when she was 
called to the other shore, her absence was deeply mourned 
by a host of friends, as well as by a loving husband and 
devoted children. 



Home Life. 31 

In his associations, John Shofner was thrown with 
such men as Nimrod Burrow, Martin Euless, Hon. Ed- 
mund Cooper (now of Shelbyville), Major Landis, 
William (Bud) Young, Col. James Mullins, Charles 
Cannon, Clement Cannon, Eev. William Jenkins, Rev. 
Jeff. King, and many others, all of whom were factors 
in molding Bedford County. 

In his religious belief he was a Lutheran, having been 
brought up in that faith from early youth. His father, 
Martin Shofner, being a devout Lutheran before him, 
donated the land for the old cemetery near " Shofner 
Church ^^ (so named in honor of Martin Shofner), on 
Thompson's Creek. Likewise, John Shofner gave the 
land for the cemetery and for the erection of a Lutheran 
Church where "Jenkins' Chapel ^^ now stands (so named 
in memory of Eev. William Jenkins, who served the 
Lutheran congregations in Tennessee faithfully from 
1828 until his death, in 1877). 

In 1851 John Shofner married Mrs. Isabella Beavers, 
a widow with two children; and at his death, in 1857, 
these two children were among the most grief-stricken, 
mourning his loss as if an own parent. From this 
union three children were born, two living now — Mrs. 
Belle Coleman and John C. Shofner; the third, Isabella, 
died in infancy. 

After living a long, useful life, John Shofner died 
on' January 6, 1857, at the advanced age of seventy 
years; and his remains now rest in the cemetery at 
Jenkins' Chapel, near his old home place. A tall shaft 
stands imposingly over his grave; and beside him sleep 
the remains of his first wife, ilmelia, who came with 
him from North Carolina. Gathered around these 



32 Shoffner History. 

graves in this same cemetery are scores of others, mostly 
relatives of these pioneers, who have likewise answered 
the same call and heard the summons from above : " Well 
done; come up higher." Here is peace to their ashes; 
and may their pure examples of honesty, integrity, and 
perseverance be a balm to every weary, struggling de- 
scendant as they travel along life's rugged pathway. 



CHAPTER VL 



THE EVENING OF LIFE. 



In the latter years of his life Mr. Shofner continued 
to run his farm; and although not so active as in former 
years, yet he superintended the work and saw that it 
was done in the rioht wav. In his business methods he 
was energetic^ honest, and punctual; and in his family 
relations he was ever gentle, kind-hearted, even- 
tempered, and considerate of the welfare of others. It 
was said of him by his intimate family associates that 
he was one of the best men that ever lived. 

As a citizen, he was always ready and willing to per- 
form his whole duty; so at various times he was on 
school boards, juries, arbitration committees, and at any 
post where he could be of service to his fellow-citizens. 
Because of his ever readiness to assist others and his 
good judgment in business affairs he was often called 
"Judge Shofner ^' by his intimate friends. 

Knowing his duty, he never shirked it, being either 
civil, political, military, or religious; and it can truly 
be said that the world was bettered by the life he lived. 
He was one of the pillars of the Lutheran Church in 
Tennessee, always giving liberally toward its support; 
and in his death the church sustained a great loss. As 
a fitting close to a treatise on the life of such a man, 
it is well that the obituary pul)lished at his death be 
reproduced here : 



34 Shoffner History. 

" Died — At his residence in Bedford County, Tenn., 
on the 6th day of January, 1857, — Mr. John Shofner; 
one of the early Pioneers of this State. Brother Shof- 
ner was horn in N'orth Carolina, on the 23d of February, 
1787. When quite a young man, he came to this coun- 
try in company with his father, and, although this was 
then an almost pathless wilderness, he selected him a 
home; returned to North Carolina, married, and came 
back with his wife in 1815. Here amid the wilds of a 
country uncultivated by civilized white or red men he 
made his mark as a man, a husband and a father. His 
influence deepened and widened as his years increased. 
He lived to a good old age, raised a large and respecta- 
ble family, who, together with numerous friends, are 
now mourning their loss. But they sorrow not as those 
who have no hope. This aged father lived an exem- 
plary member of the Lutheran Cliurch for nearly fifty 
years. He was one of the men who did right, not 
merely because it was right so to do, but because he 
loved to do right from principle. 

" He saw many changes take place even in the Agri- 
cultural and Commercial as well as the Political features 
of this country. When he first came, the country was 
without even a road ; an Indian trail alone was the trav- 
eler's guide from point to point, and sometimes not even 
that. But what is it now, as he dies in 1857? See, 
will you, the railroads have checked the State all over. 
He lived to see, emphatically, knowledge run to and fro ; 
not only by steam and press, but he lived to know that 
electricity was taught to speak the English language. 

" Having served his day and generation, God being 
pleased to release him from labour; his well tried spirit, 



The Evening of Life. 35 

having long panted after God and heaven ; as the hart 
panteth after the water brook; took its leave of earthly 
things; and, without a cloud, or shadow of a doubt, 
passed beyond the border that skirts this world. Far- 
ther we cannot now go, beyond this eye hath not seen. 
But we have heard, yes. Blessed be God, we have heard 
of a ^ sun bright clime where age has no power over the 
fadeless fame of our loved ones.' 

" 0, may we not follow, if on fancy's wings, and see 
the good old Father in Israel, as he rises on the wings 
of love, see, as he sweeps the azure bosom of the starry 
sky, and explores each landmark on the distant shore; 
me thinks one beautiful star is seen amid the Heavenly 
constelation. And ' The nearer still he draws to land 
the more eager all his powers expand.' But 0, I see 
the anchor drops. He is safe at home ; and as the Hus- 
band and Wife meet, and sweetly blend in one perpetual 
bond of love and life; I must say, may the good Lord 
gather all the children into that same blessed home in 
Heaven where 

" ^A holy quiet reigns around, 

A calm which life nor death destroys; 
And nothing disturbs that peace profound. 
Which Ills unfettered soul enjoys.' 

"A. H. B." 



CHAPTER VIL 



JOEL SHOFFNER. 



Joel, the first child of John and Amelia Shofner, was 
born in Orange County, N. C, September 3, 1811. 
When about four 3'ears of age, his father and mother 
brought him to Bedford County, Tenn., and settled on 
Duck Kiver. Here his boyhood days were spent, hunt- 
ing and fishing and going to school, but devoting a large 
part of his time toward assisting his father in clearing 
the land and tilling the soil. 

When about twenty years old, the desire to see the 
land of his forefathers turned his path toward JSTorth 
Carolina; and while there, he married on April 10, 
1831, Matilda Shoffner, oldest daughter of Daniel Shoff- 
ner, he being a brother to Joel's mother, Amelia. After 
spending some time with his relatives there, he and his 
wife came to Tennessee, settling first in Carroll County ; 
but in about 1838 they moved to Bedford County, buy- 
ing a farm on Flat Creek and here locating permanently. 

He was a successful farmer, raising principally cot- 
ton and operating a cotton gin for his own use and for 
the pul)lic in general. He was also engaged in the saw- 
mill and lumber business for several years. 

When the Civil War broke out, two of his sons, John 
E. and Daniel P., joined the Confederate Army; and 
another son, Thomas J., joined the Federal forces. Two 
sons-in-law, Joseph B. Woosley and John C. Woosley, 



38 Shoffner History. 

joined the Southern cause; and another son-in-law, 
James S. Floyd, went to the Northern side. Later on 
in the war Michael K. joined the Union Army, making 
two brothers on one side and two on the other. 

Joel and Matilda Shoffner reared a family of ten 
children — seven sons and three daughters — to manhood 
and womanhood; and all married excejDt one, and seven 
reared families. 

The first child, Flavella Jane Shoffner, was born in 
1832, and, before she married, taught school in the lit- 
tle schoolhouse near her grandfather's home and at 
other places. In 1853 she married Joseph B. Woosley, 
who served in the Confederate Army during the Civil 
War. They moved to Union City after the war, where 
he engaged in the lumber business until he died, in 
1901, and where his wife still lives. Two of their sons, 
Joel Walden and Samuel D., are now in business in 
Union City. 

The second child and first son, Loton Davis Shoffner, 
was born in 1833, married Susie Eoberts in 1855, and 
settled on Thompson's Creek. Although having a 
strong Union sentiment, he did not join either side; 
and in 1881 he died. His wife is still living on Thomp- 
son's Creek. Their four daughters grew to woman- 
hood, married, and are now living with their families 
near the place of their birth. 

The next son, John E. Shoffner, was born in 1835. 
He served in the Confederate Army, and at the close 
of the war married Hattie J. Locke ; and after his death, 
in 1891, she located in Shelbyville, Tenn. A sketch 
of his life appears elsewhere. 

The second daughter, Permelia Ann Shoffner, was 



Joel Slioifner. 39 

])orn in 1837. She married John. C. Woosley, wlio 
served in tiie Confederate Army during tlie war, and 
is now a prosperous farmer of Bedford County. They 
have no children. In religious belief they belong to the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Churchy and in politics Mr. 
Woosley is a Democrat. 

Daniel Peyton Shoffner was born in 1839. In his 
young manhood he was engaged in the milling business 
in Bedford County for several years, after Avhich he 
sold out and went to Union City, and pursued the same 
business there for quite a while. Fire destroyed his 
plant several times, but he would rebuild with renewed 
courage. He finally moved to Memphis, still following 
the same business, where he died in 1895, and was buried 
in that city. He served in the Confederate x\rmy dur- 
ing the war. After the war, he married Mary Howard ; 
and from this union there were three children, two now 
living and located in Memphis. 

The sixth one is Martha (Mattie) Shoffner, Avho was 
married when quite young to James Floyd. After the 
war broke out, Mr. Floyd joined the Federal troops at 
Murfreesboro, where he died in 1863, and was buried 
in the National Cemetery near that place. From this 
union was born Jennie Floyd, who married Felix Z. 
King, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister, now located 
at Merced, Cal. After the death of Mr. Floyd, his 
widow married Charm T. Clay, a farmer of Bedford 
County, who died in 1900. From this union there were 
eight children, all living and six married. Tinie is 
teaching at Wheel, Tenn. ; and John is managing the 
home farm for his mother. 

Thomas J. Shoffner, the next, was born in 1844, and 



40 Shojfner History. 

reared in the Flat Creek vicinity. During the war he 
served in the Federal Army, participating in many hard- 
fought Ijattles. Later he located in Union City, where 
he has been in the employ of the Singer Sewing Ma- 
chine Company for several years. He is a Cumberland 
Presbyterian in religious belief and a Republican in 
political faith. In 1873 he married Sue Bradford, of 
Union City; and they have only one child, Allie Arista, 
who married Clarence Sherrell in 1893. 

Michael Redin Shoffner was born in 1816. When 
very young, he joined the Federal Anny, and served 
until the close of the war. He has been engaged in the 
milling business for several years, and is now connected 
with a lumber business in Union City. In 1869 he 
married Laura A. Pursle}^, and they have three chil- 
dren — Inez, who married a Mr. White, of Memphis; 
Kate, who married W. D. Coldwell, of Union City; and 
Michael Eobbie, now located in Memphis. 

The ninth, Martin Luther Shoffner, was born in 1818. 
He is now located at Newbern, Tenn., where he is pre- 
paring his celebrated " Shoffner's Sure Cure," with 
which he is having much success. In 1866 he married 
Mary Ann Hastings; and out of seven children born 
unto them, five are now living, all married except one. 
The chronological table elsewhere will give their names 
and present addresses. 

Joel Edwin Shoffner, the youngest, was born in 1852 ; 
and just as he reached maturity he was called into the 
great beyond. 

Joel Shoffner, the subject of this sketch, was a dear 
lover of music, both vocal and instrumental. In his 
earlier days he taught singing school. He would make 



Rev. John R. Shoffner. 41 

what was known in those days as a " dulcimer/^ and 
upon this he could make the sweetest music. In poli- 
tics Joel Shoffner was a Whig, and in religion he be- 
longed to the Lutheran Church. He died September 16, 
1862, and was buried in the Shoffner burying grounds 
at Jenkins' Chapel. His good wife, Matilda, survived 
him until 1888, when she, too, passed over the river to 
join her husband on the other shore. Thus, out of a 
family of twelve, six have gone on to a " grand reunion," 
where there will be no more parting or saying fare- 
well; and if those who are left behind will live such 
lives as those gone before, happy will they be when their 
blessed ]\I aster calls them home to that great reunion, 
where all can join in the praises of Him who gave his 
life that all might live. 

REV. JOHN R. SHOFFNER. 

John E., grandson of John and Amelia Shofner and 
second son of Joel and Matilda Shoffner, was born in 
Carroll Count}^ Tenn., November 24, 1835. He re- 
ceived his classical education at Bethel College, Mc- 
Lemoresville, Tenn. After returning to Middle Ten- 
nessee, he taught school for several years, and was quite 
successful. He was a citizen of his native State dur- 
ing the troublous times of our Civil War, going North 
soon after its close. Just before this he married Hat- 
tie J. Locke, March 29, 1868, Eev. William Jenkins 
officiating. 

His first pastorate was at Anna, 111., where he settled 
in the beginning of 1868, remaining until the spring 
of 1871. In May, 1871, having received a call from 



42 Shoffner History. 

Lionville, Chester County, Pa., he removed to that fiekl, 
and there prosecuted the work of his high calling for five 
and a half years. In December, 1876, he took charge 
of St. Paul's Church, Berne, N. Y., where he remained 
for seven years, and then returned to Pennsylvania and 
became pastor of the Lutheran Church at Lewisburg. 
Here he remained only two years, when he accepted a 
call from Columbia, taking a mission church, where he 
remained three years. Then, in the autumn of 1888, 
he removed to Wilkesbarre, Pa., Avhere his last work was 
completed. Here he died June 12, 1891. 

He loved to preach the gospel, and considered this 
to be his mission. His last public discourse was deliv- 
ered in St. Matthew's Church, Lionville, Pa., Sunday, 
May 24, taking for a text on that occasion the words of 
St. Paul : " Now is our salvation nearer than when we 
believed." 0, how little then did we realize his salva- 
tion was so near ! 



God's ways are little known 
To our weak, erring sight." 



He rests from his labors, but his works will follow 
him. The seed of gospel truth sown by liim will pro- 
duce rich harvests for the heavenly garner long after 
his dust shall have returned to the earth. He was a 
faitliful, laborious man, devoted thoroughly to his work. 
He was an earnest preacher and a workman not ashamed 
of his calling. He had prepared himself to preach the 
gospel, and he preached it solemnly and effectively ; and 
the Master set his seal upon his efforts to win and build 
up souls for Jesus and liis work. 

John R. Slioffner was a man of piety, thoroughly hon- 



Bev. John R. Shoffner. 43 

est, faithfully performing every duty, a fast friend 
and a loving companion, as those who knew him best 
can attest. His end was peace. His remains rest in 
Willow Mount Cemetery, Shellnwille, Tenn., his n,a- 
ti^'e State, there to rest until that day when ^^ the 
trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised 
incorruptilde." Like the pilgrim far a.Avay from the 
liomo of his affeetions, he felt it was sweet to reaeli 
the haven of eternal repose. 



CHAPTER VIIL 



COL. LOTON SHOFNER. 



Loton, the second son of John and Amelia Shofner, 
was born in North Carolina in 1813, and was but two 
3'ears old when his parents crossed the mountains with 
him and his brother, Joel, to make Tennessee their per- 
nianent home. His youthful da3^s were spent on his 
father's farm, doing his part of the work and enjoying 
to the fullest extent his part of the sports and amuse- 
ments of the times. 

His father's house was very near a large canebrake, 
which was thickly inhabited by various kinds of snakes ; 
and, as Loton would tell in his later years, they would 
have to shake the bed covers before retiring to make sure 
they were not sleeping with one or more of the snake 
tribe. 

Loton lived with his parents, and assisted them every 
way he could until he was twenty-two years old, when 
he took unto himself a wife, Emily Brown, and went 
out into the world to make a home of their own. From 
this union two children were born, but both died in in- 
fancy ; and the pleasures of a sweet home life were soon 
broken up, for his wife was called away in 1839. 

He built on a farm adjoining his father's, and here 
he spent the remainder of his life. From this farm he 
gave to the Lutheran Church enough land adjacent to 
Jenkins' Chapel for a parsonage. Being a Lutheran 



46 Shoffner History. 

himself, he was always ready to do his part for his 
church. 

In 1843 he married Sarah Elizabeth McQuiddy, and 
again he enjoyed a loving companionship; but it was 
only for a brief period, for in 1846 he was again left 
alone in the world, with the exception of a daughter 
born just before his second wife died. In this daugh- 
ter, Sarah Elizabeth (so named for her mother), he 
centered all the hopes and joys of a fond parent; and 
the two lived happily together for twenty years. But 
during this time his widowed sisters, Martha and Jane, 
spent several years with him and his daughter; and his 
brother, Daniel, and wife spent one year with him. 
These did everything in their power to drive away the 
weary hours brought on by the loss of dearly beloVed 
ones. 

But just as the daughter bloomed into young woman- 
hood he lost her, too, in matrimony; for she decided to 
leave the parental roof and assist in building a fire- 
side of her own. In September, 1866, Sarah Elizabeth 
was married to John W. Wells, who had just surrendered 
with the " lost cause,'' been mustered out, and returned 
home. In the course of time a son, Othniel D., was 
born; and in 1870 another son came, William Shofner. 
Upon these two grandchildren and their mother Loton 
Shofner bestowed all the parental love of his affection- 
ate nature. 

But this happiness was soon broken; for the grim 
reaper visited the home of Mr. Wells in September, 1873, 
and carried away the loving mother and the much- 
beloved wife and daughter. Thus left with but two 
grandchildren in his family, Loton Shofner directed his 



Col. Loton Shofner. 47 

affections all the more toward these two bo3's; and as 
time went on, he, with joyful eyes, saw them gradu- 
ally grow into manhood. Then when Othniel married 
and two daughters came on, it was Loton's greatest de- 
light to love and caress these children, for they were 
dear to his heart. 

After the death of his first wife, John W. Wells mar- 
ried Miss Margaret Jenkins, daughter of Eev. William 
Jenkins and grand-daughter of Turley Euless, wdio was 
a sister to John Shofner. As his family after this mar- 
riage comes under another line of descent, which is in 
the hands of another committeeman, it is not traced 
further here. 

The oldest son, Othniel D. Wells, married Irma Fay 
in 1888; and they, Avith their two daughters, Bessie 
and Mamie, now live in Nashville, where Mr. Wells 
is a building contractor. 

William Shofner Wells, the second son, is in the fire- 
insurance business in San Francisco, Cal., where in 1899 
he married Miss Marie Angelique Dutreux; and as a 
result of this union two sons were born, Loton Shofner 
(so named in honor of his great-gi*andfather) and Will- 
iam Bruce. 

But the loneliness of Loton Shofner w^as not to con- 
tinue always. After thirty-three years of single life, 
he married Mrs. Caroline ISTewton in 1879; and they 
lived happily together for twenty years, she surviving 
him three years. 

In 1841: he was given a commission as colonel of 
militia by Gov. James C. Jones, and had under his com- 
mand one of the strongest and best regiments in the 
Stat^, 



48 Shoffner History. 

Colonel Shofner, in his latter years, would often talk 
to the school children at Butler^s Creek; and his re- 
marks were always listened to with eagerness, impress- 
ing them with truths that will last a lifetime. His fa- 
vorite theme was " Temperance/^ He would relate to 
his young audience how that in the memorable Polk- 
Jones contests of 1841 and 1843 he would sit and lis- 
ten to the forceful eloquence of " Lean Jimmy Jones " 
until he would feel like shouting. Then he would re- 
late that Lean Jimmy became intemperate, which was 
finally his ruin. This, he said, should be a lesson and a 
warning to the rising generations; and he hoped and 
trusted that those under the sound of his voice would 
ever shun this great evil and, when they grew to be 
men and women, would do all in their power to remove 
this curse from the land. 

Before the Civil War, Colonel Shofner was a Whig. 
In 1840 he supported William Henry Harrison; in 1848, 
Zachary Taylor. After the war, he affiliated with the 
Democratic party ; but for several years before his death 
he voted the Prohibition ticket, and often made the re- 
mark that one thing could be truly said of him after he 
was gone, and that was that he fought liquor until his 
labors were ended. 

Colonel Shofner died in 1899 at the advanced age of 
eighty-six years, and was interred in the family bury- 
ing ground at Jenkins' Chapel. 

Three years before Colonel Shofner^s death, and at 
his dictation, Mr. John W. Euth wrote an article on the 
historv^ of the Shoffner family that was printed in the 
Bedford County Times in April, 1896. The article is 
here reproduced because of its historical worth. 



CHAPTER IX. 



A HISTORY OF THE SHOFFNER FAMILY IN 
TENNESSEE, BY COL, LOTON SHOFFNER, 



The Shoffner family in Tennessee having now l^ecome 
so very numerous and no definite record of their origin 
having been preserved, I deem it my duty, as the okl- 
est living member of the family and more fully con- 
versant with the family history, to place in a convenient 
form my personal knowledge, believing it will be of 
interest to the younger members of the family, as well 
as a source of satisfaction to those yet in infancy or 
those unborn, to know their ancestors were of respecta- 
ble origin and were good citizens, and helped to make 
the great nation and the Commonwealth which is our 
pride and the refuge of the oppressed. 

My great-grandfather came from Germany, bringing 
with him his family, consisting of four sons — Michael, 
the eldest; George; Martin, my grandfather; and Peter, 
the youngest. Previous to taking passage he contracted 
to pay for their passage by labor to be performed after 
arrival. Michael, the eldest son, having been hired out 
to satisfy the debt, the family removed to North Caro- 
lina, settling in Orange County, the tendency of emi- 
gration being toward the Southern colonies. After 
^lichael had satisfied the debt for which he had hired, 
he proceeded to join the family in North Carolina. 
Michael, George, and Martin Shofiner were actively en- 



50 Slioffner Histoi^y. 

gaged as soldiers in the War of the Eevolution, serving 
in the North Carolina line. I have often, during my 
boyhood, sat and listened to my grandfatlier as he told 
us the story of those troublous times. He was a man 
of wonderful physical strength and great activity, even 
down to old age. One story he told us illustrates his 
great strength. He was a member of a regiment of 
cavalry. On one occasion a regiment of infantry being 
encamped near them, they sent a challenge to the cav- 
alry to bring out their best man for a trial of strength 
and skill in wrestling. Grandfather was selected to 
meet their champion, and, after a trial, came off victor. 
My father, John Shoffner, came to Tennessee dur- 
ing the spring of 1806, in company with Clement and 
Newton Cannon, the latter afterwards becoming Gov- 
ernor of the State. They came on a surveying expedi- 
tion. He remained about two years. On his return to 
North Carolina he married Amelia, the daughter of 
Michael Shoffner, on February 18, 1810. Michael and 
George Shoffner married and remained in North Caro- 
lina. Martin and Peter came to Bedford County, Tenn., 
in 1808. My father arrived in 1815. Grandfather 
and his brother, Peter, settled on Thompson's Creek. 
My father, John Shoffner, settled on Duck River, and 
died on the place he settled. He died January 6, 1857. 
He was born in Orange County, N. C, February 23, 
1787. By his first marriage there were born in North 
Carolina two children — Joel, born in January, 1811; 
and myself, born December 26, 1813. There were born 
in Tennessee: Michael, who married Sophronia Mor- 
ton; Polly, who married Thomas Bo3^ers; Julia, who 
married George Morton- Daniel M.j the youngest son, 



The Shoffner Family in Tennessee. 51 

who married Eachel Brittain; Martha, who married E. 
Bryant^ then Mr. Motlow, then H. M. Dyer; Jane, who 
first married James Wardlow, then Wilford E. Cole- 
man (hy this marriage was bom Mattie Coleman), then 
John Hester, her present husband. Some years after 
the death of my mother, my father married Mrs. Ibby 
Beavers ; and by this marriage came John Clay Shoffner 
and Mrs. Belle Coleman. 

The children of Martin Shoffner, my grandfather, 
were: Margaret, who married Philip Burrow; Turley, 
who married Adam Eiiless; John Shoffner, my father; 
and Christian Shoffner, who married Elizabeth Jen- 
nings. He settled on Mulberry, in Lincoln County, 
Avhere he died many years since, leaving some who bear 
his name. Then came Eve, who married William Holt, 
and Col. Fred. Shoffner, who married a Coble. Mar- 
tin Shoffner died on the place he settled, now owned 
by Monroe, the youngest son of Austin Shoffner. 

Now come my own family and descendants. I was 
married December 24, 1835, to Miss Emily Brown, who 
died August 10, 1839. On September 3, 1843, I was 
married to Miss Sarah Elizabeth McQuiddy, who died 
March 28, 1846. By this marriage came my only daugh- 
ter who lived to the years of maturit}'^ — Sarah Eliza- 
beth, born March 6, 1846 ; married to John W. Wells, 
September 2, 1866; and died September 4, 1873. By 
this marriage came Othniel, born January 12, 1868, 
and William S., born July 26, 1870. I was married 
to my present beloved companion on January 5, 1879. 

I can but add to this record a few reflections. I have 
lived to more than the allotted age of man. I am pa- 
tiently awaiting the summons that comes to all inevita- 



52 Shoffner History. 

bly. The consciousness of a life earnestly spent in an 
endeavor to live uprightly and to deal justly by all is 
worth more than all the world can give in return. I 
have lived more than three-fourths of my life in the 
same place, in sight of my boyhood home, the scene of 
so many pleasant recollections. Where I now live was 
a vast canebrake and dense forest. The river was then 
a clear, running stream, and teemed with fish. So very 
numerous were they that it required but an hour or two 
to catch enough by the hook to serve a large company. 
Now the most patience is required to catch within a day 
a like number, and then a failure is more than possi- 
ble. On one occasion Col. Mat. Martin, Martin Euless, 
and myself, being all striplings of young men, caught 
with a seine at the opening of the lake, or bayou, below 
my house, fifteen hundred fish — an utter impossibility 
now. 

While the face of our country has changed, so have 
the people. Simple manners have given way to mere 
formality. But I am not one who would assert that 
the world has not grown better. As our ancestors had 
fewer temptations to evil, they had not the same need 
of constant watchfulness as is needful now that tempta- 
tions have multiplied. Enlightenment has kept up with 
the world's material progress. As for myself, I have 
no complaint to make. My friends and my neighbors 
are faithful and kindly in their attention, and my old 
age is passed in serenity and quiet, awaiting the sum- 
mons that comes to all. 



CHAPTER X. 



MICHAEL SHOFFNER. 



Michael, son of John and Amelia Shofner, was horn 
and reared in Bedford County, Tenn., on his father's 
farm, near where Jenkins' Chapel now stands. His 
first school days were spent in a little log schoolhouse 
near his home, sitting- on seats made of slabs or punch- 
eons, without backs to them. When he grew older, he 
walked three miles to school every day, and helped to 
do the chores in the mornings and evenings. 

In 1839 he married Sophronia Morton, who made 
him a good wife; for she was an unusually industrious 
woman, and had a sweet disposition that made her loved 
by all. They reared their family on the farm where 
J. M. Shofner now resides, which is about six miles 
from Shelbyville. 

When Michael went to Shelbyville, which was quite 
often, he would stay very late, it sometimes being after 
dark when he arrived home. Loton Shoifner, his eldest 
brother, was in town with him one day during the Civil 
War, and, being anxious to see him get home early one 
time, said to him, " Look here, Mike ; I believe the rebels 
will capture the town before night ; " and he was not 
long in starting home that day, arriving at three o'clock 
in the afternoon. Long afterwards he would laugh and 
say he came out on double-quick time. 

He always had a kind word for the little children he 



54 SJioffner History. 

would meet; and they appreciated, honored, and loved 
him. He had a most pleasant disposition, was very 
jolly and good-natured, and every one enjoyed his con- 
versations. Before the war he voted with the Whig 
party ; and when that party disintegrated, he cast his lot 
with the Eepublicans. 

He and his wife belonged to the Cumberland Pres- 
byterian Church at " Three Forks " for a number of 
years, but she finally moved her membership to the 
Lutheran Church then called " Cedar Hill ; '^ but the 
church has been moved since, and is now known as 
"Jenkins' Chapel.^' They would often camp for weeks 
during the big " camp meetings " held in those days, 
erecting shanties and taking a cook and plenty of pro- 
visions along. One day the little boys, among them 
Hugh and Finis, were playing on top of the shanty, 
when Finis rolled off, but was not hurt badly, owing to 
the short distance. He claimed that the other boys 
pushed him off, but they would not acknowledge it. 

Out of fifteen children born unto Michael Shoffner 
and his first wife, they reared four boys and seven girls. 
Jacob M. Shofner, the eldest son, served in the Confed- 
erate Army in Company A, Seventeenth Tennessee In- 
fantry, under Captain Terry. Besides being a pros- 
perous farmer, he was one of the promoters of the Bed- 
ford County Fair, and is now a large stockholder in the 
same. He was appointed by Governor Frazier as one 
of the World's Fair Commissioners to represent Ten- 
nessee at St. Louis. As a business man, he has been 
a success, and is now president of the Peoples' National 
Bank, of Shelbyville, Tenn. In 1862 he married Me- 
lissa E. Landis, and they now have three daughters — 



Michael Shoffnsr. 55 

Mrs. Charles Armstrong, Cairo, 111. ; Mrs. Emma 
Maupin, at home; and the youngest, Argie, married 
William P. Cooper, who is a prominent lawyer of 
Shelbyville, Tenn., and also a member of the Board of 
Aldermen. 

John E. Shoffner, a namesake of his grandfather and 
the second of the four boys, is one of the directors in 
the Peoples' National Bank, of Shelbyville; is also a 
farmer on an extensive scale, owning a beautiful farm 
near the Wartrace and Shelbyville Pike; and is a 
stockholder in the Bedford County Fair Association. 
He has large tracts of timber lands in Virginia, where 
he is now operating several mills. In 1866 he married 
Mary E. Young, and has four sons and two daughters. 
Irene, who married A. F. Mullins, and Il^ina are both 
near Shelbyville. He has the four sons associated with 
him in his timber interests. Two, Eugene and Omar, 
are with him under the firm name of the Shoffner Hard- 
wood Company, and located near Coeburn, Va. Eugene 
is also one of the firm of Shoffner & Ashley, Beech 
Grove, Tenn. Clarence and Clyde, together with their 
father, form the Shoffner Lumber Company, Honaker, 
Va., with shipping point " Shoffner,^' Va. 

Hugh L., the third son of Michael Shoffner, is one 
of Bedford's most successful farmers, and is now living 
on a beautiful farm five miles from Shelbyville, on the 
Wartrace and Shelbyville Pike. He was one of the 
prime movers in getting up the Bedford County Fair, 
and takes a lively interest.in all public enterprises. He 
married Bettie S. Young in 1876. 

Finis E., the youngest of the four sons of Michael 
and Sophronia Shoffner, was born in 1850; and besides 



56 Shoffner History. 

operating a farm in Bedford Coimtv, he is now con- 
nected with a larire lumber business in Virsfinia. He 
was a member of the Brownlow State Guards at the close 
of the war. He married Bettie Eeaves in 1S69, and 
has two children at home and three married. 

Ann E.. the oldest girl of Michael Shoffner, was mar- 
ried to Jordan Holt, who served in the Union Army 
during the Civil War, and was also a member of the 
Brownlow State Guards. They moved from Bedford 
County to Grapevine. Texas: and their children and 
grandchildren now reside in that State and Indian Ter- 
ritory. 

Mary Jane Shoffner married ^Milton Phillips, who 
was a captain in the Federal Army, serving in the Fifth 
Tennessee. Horace, their eldest son, was a xevy stu- 
dious boy: succeeded well in school: and afterwards 
taught school several years in ]Hississippi, where he died 
in 1891. Of the two children livincr, one is in Xash- 
ville, and the other in C*olmnbus. Kan. 

Emma Shoffner, the next daughter, married John 
^foore. who was Tax Assessor for several years in the 
Third District of Bedford County. Their oldest son. 
Arch S. Moore, is a partner in the hmiber firm of Shoff- 
ner & Moore, Honaker, Ya. 

- Christina Lee Shoffner married Maclin H. (Kie) 
Davis, who died in 1898. She now lives in Tullahoma, 
Tenn. Ewin, her oldest son, is a successful lawser of 
Tullahoma, is chairman of the Democratic Executive 
Committee of Coffee County, and was presidential elec- 
tor for his district in the last election. Xorman, the 
next son, lives in Cuba, where he owns a laro^e orancre 
grove. 



Michael Slujffner. 57 

Laura Shoffner married Morgan C. Webb in 1876. 
He is now a successful farmer, owning valuable lands 
on Duck River, four miles from Shelbyville, Tenn., 
where he and his family reside. 

Jennie Shoffner married Gideon Brown in 1877, and 
moved to Missouri, where they lived until she died, in 
1887. Their daughter, Jessie, now lives in Fulton, Mo. ; 
and he and the other children are at De \^airs Bluff, 
Ark. 

Cora Shoffner, the youngest of the seven girls, mar- 
ried Thomas B. Carpenter ; and they now live in Galena, 
Kan., where he owns large mining interests. They have 
two daughters and one son. 

^lichael Shoffner s first wife, Sophronia, died in 1875 ; 
and in 1877 he married Harriet Berr}-, who survived 
him seven years. 

^lichael Shoffner died at the residence of his son, 
Hugh L. Shoffner, five miles east of Shelb^-viUe, in 1892. 
His health had l>een failing for some months; but when 
his condition was seemingly improved, he wa^ removed 
from his home at Tullahoma, Tenn., to his son's, with 
the hope that the change would be beneficial. He was 
bom Julv 28, 1818. and was nearlv seventv-four vears 
old at the time he died. He was well and favorably 
known throughout his county and adjoiuing counties, 
was an active business man, and popular with ever^lxniy. 
His heart was full of generous impulses, and he had a 
smile and a kind word for ever\' one. He was a ruling 
elder in the Cumberland PresbA-terian Church, and was 
true to his moral and religious convictions. Few men 
in this life have scattered more sunshine along the path- 
way of others than the beloved subject of tliis sketch. 



CHAPTER XL 



MARY BOYERS. 



Mary (Polly), the fifth child of John and Amelia 
Shoffner, was born February 29, 1820, she being the first 
daughter in the family. The birth of a daughter was 
hailed with great delight, and the glad father fired many 
salutes that were heard all over the neighborhood. She 
was reared on her father's farm, where in her early girl- 
hood she showed a great liking for outdoor exercise, 
and would often roam over the cotton fields where her 
brothers were at work. At different times, of her own 
accord, she would lend a helping hand, and in return 
would receive a nice present from her father. Her edu- 
cation was such as people gave their children in those 
days. 

At the age of eighteen she was married to Thomas 
Boyers, who came to Tennessee from Charlottesville, Va. 
On his arrival he spent a year or two at Winchester, 
and then went to Shelbyville to live. It was here that 
he met ]\Iary Shoffner ; and on their first meeting " Cu- 
pid " did his work well, for it was then that Mr. Boyers 
placed a beautifully carved gold ring on her finger. 
This ring she wore constantly; and it is yet in the pos- 
session of the family, and is held sacred in loving re- 
membrance of the betrothal of Thomas Boyers and Mary 
Shoffner. 

After their marriage, they lived in Shelbyville for a 



60 Shoffner History. 

nuinljer of years, where Mr. Boyers followed the tailor's 
trade. Afterwards he decided that his trade was in- 
juring his health ; so he went into the milling and lum- 
ber business, which he followed for several years, living 
during that time in different localities. He then bought 
a farm on Flat Creek; and there the remainder of his 
life was spent in a humble, but happy and congenial, 
home. 

From this union nine children were born, all of whom 
grew to maturity, and eight are now living. 

The first, John Boyers, was bom in 1839 ; and in 1861 
he enlisted in the First Tennessee Volunteers, and served 
in the Confederate Army during the full time of the 
war. He has followed the lumber and milling business 
for many years. In 1866 he married Letitia Landers. 

The second child was Amelia A. Boyers, named for 
her grandmother, who was born in 18-12. In 1875 she 
married James Price, who" died in 1880. She then mar- 
ried John A. Silvertooth ; and they located near Lynch- 
burg, Tenn., where he died in 1892 ; but Mrs. Silver- 
tooth still resides there. 

The next, Fannie Boyers, was born in the year 1811, 
and married Albert G. McQuiddy. They now reside 
in Newton, Kan., and have four girls and three boys 
in their family. 

Sandy Boyers, the fourth one, was born in 181:7, and 
now resides at Hall's Station, Tenn. He married Lucy 
Curling, and from this union five children were born. 

Sallie Boyers was born in 1850, and married Burrow 
Wells in 1872. They now live in Chattanooga. Six 
children w^re born to this union, two of whom have left 



Mary Bayers. 61 

the parental home and are now at Sontli Pittsl)urg, 
Tenn. 

]\Iary E. Beyers, namesake of her mother, was born 
in 1853, and married James Silvertooth, of Lynchburg, 
Tenn., in 1886. From this union two ehiklren were 
born, but the mother died in 1893. 

Hexley E. Bo3^ers, born in 1856, is now located 
at Cowan, Tenn., where he has been engaged in a suc- 
cessful lumber business for several years. In 1888 he 
married Clara Bobo, and they haye one son. 

Minnie Boyers, born in 1859, married James Smoot 
in 1880. From this union eight children were born; 
and the parents now reside in Tullahoma, Tenn. 

The youngeat, Bettie Bo3'ers, was born in 1862, and 
married J. D. Crabb in 1890. They have two children, 
and the family is now at Lake City, Fla. 

In her early life the subject of this sketch, Mary 
Shoffner, united with the Lutheran Church; but after 
her marriage, she and her husband joined the Christian 
Church in Shelbyyille, where they were consistent mem- 
bers the balance of their liyes. 

During the year 1868 Mr. Boyers died, leaving the 
wife, who survived him fourteen years, with several 
small children to rear, the youngest being six years of 
age; but with her energetic nature, she pressed onward, 
ever advising and teaching them to follow the right and 
avoid the wrong, and gave them all as good an education 
as was possible. In her family relations she exercised 
a noble influence; and she was the embodiment of ac- 
tivity, perseverance, and gentleness, and gave to her 
children and grandchildren an example of purity of 
home life that they will do well to follow. 



CHAPTER XIL 



JULIA B. MORTON. 



Julia was born in Bedford County, Tenn., February 
18, 1823. At the age of sixteen years she married 
George W. Morton, who owned a farm on Duck Eiver 
near where she was born and reared. She and her hus- 
band were faithful members of the Lutheran Church, 
joining when very young. Her husband died in August, 
1870, leaving her a widow with seven children, three 
of them being married at the time of his death. The 
remainder of her life w^as spent Avith her children; and 
at the time of her death she was living with her daugh- 
ter, Ellen, at her old home place. 

Her eldest child, William H. Morton, who was gener- 
ally known as " Tip,^^ was born November 13, 1839. 
When the Civil War broke out, he joined the Confederate 
Army. Before the war was over he married Lucy Ar- 
nold, and located on a farm near Wartrace, spending 
the remainder of his life there. He was a member of 
the Northern Methodist Church, and a Republican. 
He had two children — George Moody, who died when 
quite young, and James R. Morton. His wife died 
on March 26, 1899; and on September 8, 1901, he mar- 
ried the second time, to Nora Neal. In a few months 
after this marriage his health began to fail; and on 
July 19, 1902, he died. Just one month from his death 
his second wife died. James E. Morton, his only sur- 



64 Shoffner History. 

viving child;, now resides near Wartrace on the okl home 
place of his father. He is a Kepublican, is now an 
office holder in his district, and is a leading member in 
the Northern Methodist Church. In 1887 he married 
Miss Belle Koonce. 

Sophronia, the second child and oldest daughter, was 
born on ^lay 12, 184-1:, and married S. ^I. Holt on 
August 9, 1863. Mr. Holt was in the Union Army, 
where he served the full length of the war in the Fifth 
Tennessee Cavalry, receiving two wounds during his 
service. He now has a position as foreman of doors 
with the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Kail- 
way, and lives in Nashville. Of the four living children, 
William is a luiilding contractor, a member of the Epis- 
copal Church, and now resides in Nashville. Lula, the 
only daughter, is the wife of a farmer, living near Nor- 
mandy, Tenn., and is a member of the Northern Meth- 
odist Church. George is a physician, having graduated 
with honors at the University of Tennessee, but is pre- 
vented from practicing by a disability incurred in the 
line of duty in the hospital corps, United States Army. 
Sam. is a fireman on the Nashville, Chattanooga and 
St. Louis Eailwav. Both of these bovs saw service in 
the War with Spain — Sam., in the Second Tennessee 
Kegiment, United States Volunteers; George, in the 
regular army. 

James C. Morton, the third child, was born January 
11, 1845. At the age of sixteen he joined the Confed- 
erate Army, serving until he received an honorable dis- 
charge. When nineteen years of age, he married Nan- 
nie C. Stokes, who died September 3, 1874. He mar- 
ried the second time to Bettie A. Thomas, and is now a 



Julia B. Morton. 65 

prosperous merchant of Petersburg, Tenn. He is a 
member of the Methodist Church, and a stanch Demo- 
crat. He now holds the offices of Kotary Public, ]\Iag- 
istrate, and Eecorder. His first child, Annie, married 
John Jarman, and now lives near Wartrace; Arthur 
is bookkeeper for Dwight's Cotton Mills, Alabama City, 
Ala. ; George is employed by the Cumberland Telephone 
Company, and now living at Winchester, Tenn. ^ Hor- 
ace is overseer of the cloth room in Dwight^s Mills, Ala- 
bama City, Ala. 

Martha Jane Morton married N. S. McConnell, who 
is a farmer, now living near Wartrace, Tenn. She 
joined the Lutheran Church when quite young, but 
afterwards moved her membership to the Methodist 
Church at Haley, Tenn., where the remainder of the 
family belong. rann3'e is at home with her parents; 
George has been playing professional ball for the last 
four years, and is now in the National League; James 
is a traveling salesman. 

Ellen Morton, the fifth child, married A. D. McCon- 
nell, who is also a farmer and living near Wartrace. 
She is a member of the Lutheran Church. Bennie, their 
eldest child, was in the War with Spain, serving in the 
First Tennessee Eegiment. While at home on a fur- 
lough, he died from the effects of a relapse from an ill- 
ness contracted in the service. 

Lee Morton, the fourth daughter, married Dennis 
Searcy, an employee on the Nashville, Chattanooga and 
St. Louis Eailway, and was a member of the Methodist 
Church. She died December 24, 1901, at her home 
near Wartrace. She was the mother of eight children. 
Robert is a fireman on the ISTashville, Chattanooga and 



66 Slioffner History. 

St. Louis Eailway, and lives at Wartrace. Moody is 
now in the Philippine Islands. He was in the regular 
arniA' during the War with Spain, and is now on the 
police force in Manila. Oscar served in the First Ten- 
nessee during the Spanish- American War, and is now 
in the regular army in the Philippine Islands. 



CHAPTER XIIL 



DANIEL M. SHOFNER. 



Daniel Martin, the youngest of the four boys of John 
and Amelia Shofner, was born in Bedford County, 
Tenn., on May 9, 1827. His early days were spent on 
his father's farm, the one now owned l3y Mrs. ^largaret 
Wells. He attended school in the little log schoolhouse 
his father had built on his farm for the convenience of 
his and his neighbors' children. 

Daniel was a quiet and studious boy, but one that 
could be depended on to do his part of whatever was to 
be done. He was peculiarly devoted to his mother ; and 
when she had duties that kept her up late at nights, he 
was found by her side, rendering all the assistance he 
could possibly give. The death of his dear mother just 
as he reached young manhood was a sad blow to him. 

In the year 1853 he married Emily Rachel Brittain, 
a young woman, who gladly shared his toils and hard- 
ships as well as his joys and comforts. The first year 
of their married life was spent in the home of his 
brother, Loton, where William W., his oldest son, was 
born. The next year they settled on a tract of land 
])ought from his father's estate and adjoining the home- 
stead of his brother, Michael. Here his family resided 
during the balance of his life, and there reared their 
children. 

Although having a strong Union sentiment, he did 



68 Shoffner History. 

not join either side in the Civil War ; but because of this 
sentiment his farm was often visited by the Confederate 
soldiers and relieved of such things as chickens, corn, 
hogs, cattle, and horses to such an extent that it took 
him several years to overcome this loss and get his farm 
back to the prosperous condition it was before the war. 

Daniel and Eachel Shofner reared five children to 
maturity out of seven born unto them, Fannie died in 
infancy, and Eobert E. died at the age of fourteen years. 

The first son, William Watterson Shofner, was born 
October 16, 1854. After reaching manliood, he went to 
West Tennessee, where he spent several years. After 
that time, he located in Nashville, where he made an 
efficient officer on the police force for many years. From 
there he moved to Chattanooga, but now lives in Padu- 
cah, Ivy. In 1883 he married Francis Ellen McGuire; 
and from this union nine children were born, eight of 
whom are living. 

Mitchel B. Shofner, the next son, spent several years 
in West Tennessee, after which he located in Xashville, 
where he is now succeeding as a master wood workman. 

The third son, Henry Gaston Shofner, is now located 
in Nashville, where he is a building contractor. 

Samuel D. Shofner was a traveling salesman for A. 
M. Tennison Hardware Company, of Nashville, for sev- 
eral years, ])ut is now in the hardware business for him- 
self in Nashville. 

Their only living daughter, IMartha Amelia Shofner 
(so named for her aunt, Martha, and her grandmother, 
Amelia), was born in 1875. In 1901 she was married 
to John W. Wirscliing, who is architectural draughtsman 



Daniel M. Sliofner. 69 

for the Edgefield and Nashville Manufacturing Com- 
pany. 

In politics Daniel M. (Dock) Shofner was a Whig 
hefore the war; and after that party went out, he cast 
his lot with the Republican party. 

In religious belief he belonged to the church of his 
forefathers, the Lutheran, and was a member of the 
church council at Jenkins' Chapel for many years. He 
loved and was loved in return by the Lutheran pastor, 
Rev. John Boone, who spent many hours with him dur- 
ing his last illness, and conducted the funeral services. 
Daniel M. Shofner died on June 29, 1889, at peace with 
God and man, and was buried by the side of his departed 
son and daughter in the family cemetery at Jenkins' 
Chapel, given by his father many years before. 

He lived as nearly up to the teachings of the Golden 
Rule as any one could. His name and his honor were 
above reproach. He had a love for learning above the 
average man, yet was always modest and unassuming. 
He was a man of high integrity, of refinement, and of 
culture, and was always ready to forgive a wrong or ren- 
der a kindness to his fellow-man. He loved his home 
and his family, and was always patient, kind, and con- 
siderate. Truly, he was a Christian in the fullest sense 
of its meaning; and to-day he is surely waiting on the 
distant shore to give a glad hand of welcome, when the 
time comes, to those of his family left behind. 

In about a year and a half after his death his fam- 
ily moved to Nashville, and there his wife and most 
of the children are now residing. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



MARTHA DYER. 



Martha, the ninth child of John and Amelia Shofner, 
was born August 5, 1829. At about the age of seven- 
teen she was married to Edwin L. Bryan, who was a 
cabinetmaker. They lived in Shelbyville and Xashville 
for about seven years. No children blessed their union ; 
and on August 24, 1854, Mr. Bryan died. 

After his death, she went to live with her brother, 
Loton Shofner, whose wife had died. Here she stayed 
about two years, when she again married, her husband 
this time being Mr. Felix Motlow, of Lynchburg, Tenn., 
he being several years her senior. He had a number of 
children, some grown and one small child — a boy whom 
she took to her heart and loved as her own; but he was 
taken from them by death in a few years. 

Mr. Motlow was a large slave owner; and his wife, 
who was energetic and domestic in tastes and a fine 
example of the old-time country housewife, led quite 
an active life in supervising the work necessary for the 
maintenance of a large household. This being in the 
days when clothing was made at home for the most 
part, carding, spinning, and weaving, cutting and mak- 
ing of garments for so many slaves, as well as the fam- 
ily, formed no small part of the work. 

There were grown daughters in the family not many 
years younger than Mrs. Motlow; and with these she 



72 Shoffner History. 

lived and labored very pleasantly and companionably, 
and entered into their lives as one of them, planning 
and working toward everything conducive to their pleas- 
ure and liappiness. As they married and grandchildren 
were born, she, being naturally fond of the little ones, 
bestowed on them the affection of an own grandmother. 

The Motlow home was noted far and wide for its old- 
time Southern hospitality, its bounteousness, and its 
jolly good cheer, and was quite a rendezvous for all the 
countrvside. But in about fifteen years death entered 
the home of Martha Shofner again and widowed her 
heart and home, Mr. Motlow's death occurring February 
23, 1872. 

As in her first widowhood, she returned to the place 
of her birth and again took up her residence with Loton 
Shofner, where she remained for about two years. On 
February 10, 1871, she wedded Mr. W. H. Dyer, a wid- 
ower, who lived a few miles from Shelbyville, on Sugar 
Creek. This union was particularly happy. Her age 
was somewhat more advanced now, and her life was not 
so active, but perhaps was more tranquil, peaceful, and 
protected than it ever had been; and this she appre- 
ciated all the more, because she had been l)roken up in 
her life plans several times. She was very devoted to 
Mr. Dyer, he being the very soul of kindness and con- 
sideration for her; and thus their lives, bound in mu- 
tual love, flowed on in this happy way for six or seven 
years, when God once more saw fit to place his hand of 
affliction on her, and she was the third time left a child- 
less widow. 

This time she again returned to the scenes of her 
childhood, and found hearts open to receive her in the 



Martha Dyer. 73 

home of her widowed sister, Jane Coleman. Here she 
soon learned to love the only child in the home — Martha 
Coleman, her namesake — almost as well as if her own. 
She often said that her sense of loneliness in life would 
have been relieved, her griefs lessened, and her declin- 
ing years brighter, had she been blessed with children 
of her own. Here the three lived happily together for 
five or six 3'^ears, when Mrs. Coleman married and moved 
away, again leaving Martha Shofner broken up and 
without a home. 

The doors of her brother Loton's house were the third 
time opened to her; and she again accepted and resided 
there a number of years, with the exception of a year or 
two spent in Shelbyville in the meantime. 

At an early age she joined the church of her fathers, 
the Lutheran, and lived a consistent and helpful mem- 
ber; but after her marriage to Mr. Dyer, she placed her 
membership in his church, the Missionary Baptist, and 
remained with that church until a few years before her 
death, when she returned to the Lutheran. Just a few 
years before her death she moved to Kover, Tenn., to 
the home of Mr. J. W. Hester, who had married her sis- 
ter, Mrs. Coleman, to again be welcomed into the fam- 
ily of her sister and niece. 

On August 8, 1899, at the age of seventy years, God 
called her home. She was both fortunate and unfor- 
tunate in life — fortunate, after having been bereaved 
so many times, to find kind hearts and homes to receive 
her, so she would not have to cast her lot among stran- 
gers — a thing she very much disliked, for the love of 
blood and family was strong within her. 



CHAPTER XV. 



JANE HESTER. 



Emily Jane, daughter of John and Amelia Shofner, 
was born July 3, 183-i. Being the youngest living child 
in the family, she had a rather careful girlhood, and 
was somewhat the pet of the home. At the age of four- 
teen the father and mother took her to visit their Shof- 
ner relatives in Orange County, N. C, the trip being 
made by carriage and taking two weeks each way. A 
month was spent among relatives and friends, and she 
remembers now having visited an old battlefield of the 
Eevolution. 

At the age of twenty-two she married James M. 
Wardlow, of Shelbyville, Tenn., April 24, 1856. He 
was a teacher; so they lived at several different places. 
In about two years a daughter, Emma, was born unto 
them. In a few years they bought a farm at Roseville, 
Tenn., where they resided for some time; but the home 
was to be broken, for on October 4, 1860, Mr. Wardlow 
died. His wife then went to live with her brother, 
Loton Shofner, and his daughter, Bettie, where she re- 
mained about ten years. During this time little Emma 
died, leaving her entirely alone in the world. 

On November 29, 1871, she was married to Wilford 
E. Coleman, a widower, having one grown son, Alex. 
Mr. Coleman resided on a farm adjoining Mullins' Mill. 
Now, after ten lonely and unhappy years, she was very 



76 ^ SJioffner History. 

appreciative of the love and kindness shown her in this 
home; and this was, perhaps, the happiest period of her 
whole life. On October 27, 1872, a daughter, Martha 
VVilford, was born unto them. Shortlv after this time 
Alex. Coleman married Annie Belle Shofner, a half sis- 
ter to Mrs. Coleman; and they formed a part of the 
household for a time. But the life of Jane Shofner 
was not destined to move on in this happy way ; and on 
April 11, 1879, she was the second time left a widow 
with one child. Within a few months she moved to 
Shelbyville, and for one year lived with her sister-in- 
law. Miss Sarah Wardlow; but at the end of that time 
she and her daughter returned to the farm they had 
shortly before left. Here they were soon joined by her 
widowed sister, Martha Dyer ; and thus five or six years 
passed by quietly and uneventfully. 

In February, 188G, Mrs. Coleman married Mr. J. W. 
Hester, of Rover, Tenn., where she, her husband, and 
her daughter are at present living. 

When quite young, Jane Shofner joined the Lutheran 
Church, and remained with it until her marriage with 
Mr. Coleman, when she joined the Methodist Episcopal 
Churcli, South, with him; and her membership still rests 
with that body. 

Her only living child, Martha W. (Mattie) Coleman, 
is a most devoted daughter, whose parental love is an 
anchor for the hopes, love, and joys of a mother in the 
evening of life. Not only has this daughter been as a 
ministering angel to her mother's life, but she was a 
constant, affectionate companion of her Aunt Martha 
and Uncle Lotou when the grim reaper visited their 



Jane Hester. 77 

respective homes and claimed their loved ones. She it 
was who assisted so nobly in transforming their dark 
hours into noonday and brought lasting sunshine into 
their lives. 



CHAPTER XVL 



THE SECOND MARRIAGE, 



Annie Belle, the first child born to John Shofner after 
his marriage to Mrs. Isabella Beavers, was born on 
April 26, 1852, and lived to young womanhood near the 
place of her birth. At the age of twenty-one years she 
married Alexander E. Coleman, and continued to live 
in the Shofner community until after the birth of her 
first child, Paul Shofner Coleman, who was born June 
29, 1877. 

Soon after this the husband and wife moved to West 
Tennessee, where the young husband was stricken with 
fever and only lived to get home to die. This was 
August 31, 1880; and he died at the home of his wife's 
mother, who had married William Wilhoit after the 
death of her second husband, John Shofner. 

In the meantime, on November 11, 1879, a second 
child was born to Alexander E. and Annie Belle Cole- 
man — a daughter, Pierre Allen. After the husband's 
death, the wife began the struggle to rear the two chil- 
dren left to her care. While not left entirely without 
means, the young mother of twenty-six years realized 
that it had fallen to her lot alone to rear these two 
babes; and ambitious and ever alert for their welfare 
and comfort, she never " ate the bread of idleness," but 
was ever up and doing, always adding to the means left 
her, until the panic of 1893, when all was lost. Then 



80 Shoffner History. 

the young son started out to support the young sister 
and mother, and the noble manner he met these respon- 
sibilities was best attested by his watchful care for sev- 
eral years. He also worked his own way into a pro- 
fession, and is now a successful dentist in Wilburton, 
I. T. 

The second child, Pierre Allen, was married in Shel- 
by ville, Tenn., on May 15, 1900, to Joseph L. Hutton, 
who is now cashier of the Phoenix Bank, of Columbia, 
Tenn. Of this union there is one child — Josephine, 
born August 6, 1901. 

Mrs. Annie Belle Coleman is now living with her 
daughter, Mrs. Hutton, at Columbia, Tenn. 

John Clay Shofner, born October 10, 1854, was the 
only son and second child of John Shofner after his 
second marriage. Being left without a father's love 
and care almost in infancy, responsibilities fell on him 
early in life. He grew to young manhood on the farm ; 
and later, when still a very young man, he entered busi- 
ness in Shelbyville, which was more or less successful. 
Later, when wanting a broader field for his work, he 
moved to Nashville, where to-day he is one of the lead- 
ing business men of that city. 

He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, of 
Nashville, as is also his wife. He is charitable, being 
ever ready to help those in trouble; and he is a man 
who strengthens in Christianity as years are added to his 
life. He married Miss Julia Neil, of Shelbyville, in 
his early manhood, only one child being born to this 
union — Brenda Neil, who died in infancy. 



PART II. 



A CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY 



OF THE DESCENDANTS OF JOHN SHOFNER, FIFTH 
CHILD OF MARTIN SHOFNER, WHO WAS THE 
THIRD SON OF MICHAEL SHOFFNER, WHO 
CAME FROM GERMANY ABOUT 1760, LAND- 
ING AT PHILADELPHIA, AND THEN 
LOCATED IN NORTH CAROLINA. 



An outline of " The Pioneer Shoffners " is given in 
order to trace the lineage back to the first family of the 
name to settle on American soil. Then, beginning with 
John and Amelia Shofner, who married in 1810, we 
have endeavored to trace out every descendant and give 
dates of births, deaths, marriages, and location, on down 
to the present. 

Abbreviations are used wherever practical, as " b " 
for born, " d " for died, " m ^^ for married, " m ^ " for 
married first, etc. Following the name and birth will 
be found the present address in parenthesis. 

The children of John and Amelia Shofner are num- 
bered with the Eoman notation and go from I. to XII., 
and the children of John and Isabella Shofner run from 
XIII. to XV., inclusive. Then ten spaces to the right 
and two spaces below each other will be found the grand- 
children of John Shofner numbered by capitals, thus 
"(A),'' "(B),'^ etc.; and this list includes 53 names. 
Ten spaces farther to the right and marked "(1)/' 



84 Shoffner History. 

"(2)," etc., will be found the great-grandchildren of 
John Shofner; and these number 167 in all. Still far- 
ther to the right ten spaces you will find the great-great- 
grandchildren designated by "(a)/' "(b)," etc.; and 
these number 164 on this list. Only one great-great- 
great-grandchild is recorded. 

To sum up, by counting those who married into the 
family, we would have, besides the 15 children and 
their wives and husbands (numbering 17), 96 grand- 
children, 239 great-grandchildren, and 166 great-great- 
grandchildren — making a grand total of 534 names on 
the list of the descendants of John Shofner. On this 
list will also be found the record of 128 marriages, the 
births of 409 children, and the deaths of 119 people, 
leaving a balance of 415 persons as the living descend- 
ants of John Shofner. The list of different surnames 
of those marrying into the family numbers 104, and 
there are 14 States and Territories represented. 

At the last of the chronological table is appended a 
diagram showing four brothers of the Shoffner name 
for five generations. 

^♦THE PIONEER SHOFFNERS." 
MICHAEL SHOFFNER, the first settler, b 1721, d 1810. 

I. Michael Shoffner, b 1752, d 1820. 

(1) Eve Robinson, remained in N. C. 

(2) Michael Shoffner, remained in N. C. 

(3) Polly McMurry, remained in N. C. 

(4) Daniel Shoffner, settled In West Tenn. 

(5) Amelia Shoffner, married John Shofner 
.'. and came to Tenn. 



Chronological Table, 85 



II. George Shoffner, remained in N. C. 

III. Martin Shoflfner. b 1758, d 1838, came to Tenn. 1808. 

(1) Margaret Burrow. 

(2) Turley Euless. 

(3) Eve Holt, then Muse. 

(4) Christian Shoffner, settled in Lincoln Co. 

(5) John Shofner, settled in Bedford Co. 1815, 

whose descendants are on the 
following pages. 

(6) Sallie Dean. 

(7) Frederick Shoffner. 

(8) Austin Shoffner. 

(9) Polly Brown, then Thomas, removed to 

Texas, no children. 

(10) Lizzie Shoffner, died young. 
IV. Peter Shoffner. 
V. Magdalina Shoffner, m Anthony. 

JOHN SHOFNER, b 1787, d 1857. 

ml Amelia Shoffner, 1810 (d 1849). 

I. Joel Shoffner, b 1811, d 1862. 

m Matilda Shoffner, 1831 (d 1888). 

(A) Flavella Jane Shoffner, b 1832 (Union City, Tenn.). 
m Joseph B. Woosley, 1853 (d 1901). 

(1) Harry Woosley, b 1854, d 1856. 

(2) Nannie Viola Woosley, b 1856 (Union 

City, Tenn.). 
m Henry Little, 1878 (d 1892). 

(a) Marion Little, b 1879 (Union 
City, Tenn.). 



86 Slioffner History. 



(b) William B. Little, b 1880 (New 

York). 

(c) Nannie Evelyne Little, b 1882 

(Chicago), 
m J. J. Sherrill, 1902. 

(d) Henry Little, Jr., b 1884 (Un- 

ion City, Tenn.). 

(3) Joel Walden Woosley, b 1861 (Union City, 

Tenn. ) . 

(4) Samuel D. Woosley, b 1867 (Union City, 

Tenn. ) . 
m Lula Mathes, 1894. 

(a) Margaret Woosley, b and d 1897. 

(b) Gerald Mathes Woosley, b 1899. 

(c) Emily Woosley, b 1903. 

(d) Flavella Woosley, b 1904. 

(5) Norma Ann Woosley, b 1870 (Effingham, 

111.). 
m Felix A. Raymer, 1892. 

(a) Minette W. Raymer, b 1893. 

(b) Gladys Raymer, b 1895. 

(e) Felix Raymer, Jr., b 1899. 

(B) Loton Davis Shofifner, b 1833, d 1881. 
m Susie Roberts, 1855 (Haley, Tenn.). 

(1) James Leonidas Shoffner, b 1857, d 1862. 

(2) Viva Jane Shofifner, b 1860 (Haley, Tenn.). 
ml Alfred T. Prince, 1884 (d 1888), 

(a) Hoyt C. Prince, b 1885. 
m2 J. W. Brinkley, 1892. 

(b) Jo. D. Brinkley, b 1894. 

(c) Lota May Brinkley, b 1896. 

(3) Madora Shofifner, b 1862. 
m Grason Shearin, 1880. 

(a) Walter E. Shearin, b 1882. 

m Nora Agnes Shofifner, 1904. 
(a}) Haywood Shofifner 
Shearin, b 1905. 

(b) Arthur C. Shearin, b 1884. 

(c) Annie May Shearin, b & d 1890. 

(d) Willie S. Shearin, b 1893. 

(e) Charles E. Shearin, b 1895. 



Chronological Table. 87 

(4) Mary E. Shoffner, b 1868. 
m Henry C. Bearden, 1885. 

(a) Victor Leland Bearden, b 1887. 

(b) James L. Bearden, b 1891. 

(5) Brigbtie Pearl Shoffner, b 1877. 
m W. E. Hitt, 1894. 

(a) Bonnie Vesta ITitt, b 1896. 

(b) Arlie Hitt, b 1903. 

(C) John R. Shoffner, b 1835, d 1891. 

m Hattie J. Locke, 1868 ( Shelby ville, Tenn.). 

(D) Permelia Ann Shoffner, b 1837 ( Shelbyville, Tenn.). 
m John C. Woosley, 18 — . 

(E) Daniel Peyton Shoffner, b 1839, d 1895. 
m Mary Howard, 1865. 

(1) Ella Vesta Shoffner, b 1866, d 186—. 

(2) Florence Shoffner, b 1869 (Union City, 

Tenn.). 
m James Clinton Harris, 1886 (d 1895). 

(a) Mary Harris, b 1889. 

(b) Clint. Shoffner Harris, b 1891, 

d 1892. 

(c) "J. C." Harris | t^j„„ ,, ioqq 

(d) " W. T." Harris f^^ins. b 1893. 

(e) Daniel Peyton Harris, b 1895, 

d 1897. 

(3) Lotta Dana Shoffner, b 1871. 

m Dr. William M. Turner, 1898. 

(a) Mary Howard Turner, b 1899. 

(b) William M. Turner, Jr., b 1900. 

(c) Margaret Turner, b 1902. 

(F) Martha Matitia (Mattie) Shoffner, b 1842 (Bed- 

ford, Tenn.). 

ml James Floyd, 1861 (d 1863). 

(1) Jennie Floyd, b 1803 (Merced, Cal.). 
m Felix Z. King, 1886. 

(a) Ruby King, b and d 1887. 

(b) Hollis Ewing King, b 1888. 



88 Shoffner History. 



(c) John Stanley King, b 1892. 

(d) Katie Ruth King, b 1894. 

(e) Annie Louise King, b 1898. 

m ■' Charm T. Clay, 1868 (d 1900). 

(2) Carrie Lula Clay, b 1870 (Chapel Hill, 

Tenn.). 
m Sam. J. Blackwell, 1888. 

(a) Gertie F. Blackwell, b 1890. 

(b) Flora E. Blackwell, b 1892. 

(c) Sam. Hoyt Blackwell, b 1895. 

(d) Bonnie Kate Blackwell, b 1897. 

(3) Francis Ernestine Clay, b 1873 (Bedford, 

Tenn. ) . 

(4) Edmund M. Clay, b 1875 (Lewisburg, 

Tenn.). 
m Mattie Belle Liggett, 1897. 

(a) Violet Leon Clay, b 1898. 

(b) Leslie Morris Clay, b 1900. 

(c) Herbert Henry Clay, b 1902. 

(d) John Roily Clay, b 1904. 

(5) Virginia Ann Clay, b 1877. 

(6) John Chamberlin Clay, b 1879 (Bedford, 

Tenn.). 

(7) Margie M. Clay, b 1881 (Bon Air, Tenn.). 
m Will. T. King. 1898. 

(a) Avis Shoffner King, b 1900. 

(8) Lillian Matilda Clay, b 1883 ( Shelby ville, 

Tenn.). 
m John H. Blackwell, 1902. 

(9) Auda Lee Clay, b 1886 (Shelbyville, 

Tenn.). 
m Marvin Williams, 1903. 

(G) Thomas J. Shoffner, b 1844 (Union City, Tenn.). 

m Sue Bradford, 1873. 

(1) Allle Vista Shoffner, b 1874. 
m Clarence Sherrell, 1893. 

(a) Edith L. Sherrell, b 1898. 



Chronological Table. 89 



(H) Michael Redin Shoffner, b 1846 (Union City, 

Tenn.). 

m Laura Addie Pursley, 1869. 

(1) Inez Moss ShoCfner, b 1870 (Union City, 

Tenn.). 
m T. C. White, 1S04. 

(a) Shoffner Thompson White, b 

1896. 

(b) Louise Thornwell White, b 1898. 

(c) Mary Fancis White, b 1901. 

(2) Kate Malone Shoffner, b 1876 (Union 

City, Tenn.). 
m W. D. Coldwell, 1896. 

(a) Ralph Morrison Coldwell, b 1899. 

(b) Addie Byron Coldwell, b 1900. 

(3) Michael Robbie Shoffner, b 1882 (Mem- 

phis, Tenn.). 

(I) Martin Luther Shoffner, b 1848 (Newbern, Tenn.). 
m Mary Ann Hastings, 1866. 

(1) Tommie Gordon Shoffner, b 1867, d 1878. 

(2) Lula Jane Shoffner, b 1869 (Senatobia, 

Miss. ) . 
m John M. Taylor, 1886. 

(a) Annie Lee Taylor, b 1887. 

(b) John Milton Taylor, b 1889. 

(c) Mary L. Taylor, b 1890, d 1891. 

(3) Joel Robert Shoffner, b 1871 (Padu- 

cah, Ky.). 
m Lura Hurt, 1897. 

(a) Mary Amanda Shoffner, b 1898. 

(b) Joel Shoffner, b 1899, d 1900. 

(4) Matilda Nancy Shoffner, b 1873 (Halls, 

Tenn.). 
m Tollie L. Stephens, 1888. 

(a) George J. Stephens, b 1889. 

(b) Myrtle A. Stephens, b 1890, d 

1891. 

[l\ \- Twin boys, b and d 1892. 
.(d) * 

(e) Joel O'Dell Stephens, b 1894. 



90 Shoffner History. 



(5) Sallie Dear Shofifner, b 1875 (Trimble, 

Tenn.). 
m M. L. Pierce, 1889. 

(6) Mary Bessie Shoffner, b 1877. d 1902. 

(7) Martin Lutlier Shoffner, Jr.. b 1886. 
(J) Joe] Edwin Shoffner, b 1852, d 1872. 

II. Loton Shoffner, b 1813. d 1899. 
m^ Emily Brown, 1835 (d 1839). 

(A) Mary Shoffner, b and d 1836. 

(B) Caldonia Shoffner, b and d 1838. 

m^ Sarah Elizabeth McQuiddy, 1843 (d 1846). 

(C) Sarah Elizabeth Shoffner, b 1846, d 1873. 
m John W. Wells, 1866 (d 1894). 

(1) Othniel D. Wells, b 1868 (Nashville, 

Tenn.). 
m Irma Fay, 1888. 

(a) Bessie Wells, b 1889. 

(b) Mamie Wells, b 1895. 

(2) William Shofner Wells, b 1870 (San 

Francisco, Cal.). 
m Marie Angelique Dutreux, 1899. 

(a) I>oton Wells, b 1901. 

(b) William Bruce Wells, b 1904. 

m •■' Caroline Newton. 1879 (d 1902). 

III. Laban Shoffner. b 1816. d 1821. 

\\\ Michael Shoffner. b 1818. d 1892. 

ml Sophronia E. Morton, 1839 (d 1875). 
(A) Ann E. Shoffner, b 1839, d 1883. 
ml Joshua Hicks, 1859 (d 1861). 
m^ Jordan Holt, 1864 (d 1886). 

(1) Fannie L. Holt, b and d 1865. 



Chronological Table. 91 

(2) Michael L. Holt, b 1867 (Guion, Texas), 
m Mary T. Greer, 1889. 

(a) Nettie A. Holt, b 1890. 

(b) Mary L. Holt, b 1891. 

(c) Clara B. Holt, b 1894. 

(d) Carde D. Holt, b 1896. 

(e) Mills L. Holt, b 1898. 

(f) Ina V. Holt I „ . , .^.^^ 
/ . >T- xr TT ,. (-Twins, b 1900. 

(g) Nina V. Holt ' 

(3) Addie E. Holt, b 1869 (Mead, I. T.). 
m John A. Glover, 1885. 

(a) Luther Oscar Glover, b 1887, 

d 1890. 

(b) Nellie Ann Glover, b 1890. 

(c) Bettie Octava Glover, b 1893. 

(d) Joe Theodore Glover, b 1896, 

d 1898. 

(e) Katie Ruthey Glover, b 1899. 

(f) Lillian Gladis Glover, b 1903. 

(4) Mary J. Holt, b 1870, d 1899. 

m M. Lambert, 1885 (Paradise, Texas). 

(5) John M. Holt, b 1873, d 1874. 

(6) Cora A. Holt, b 1874, d 1876. 

(7) Joe V. Holt, b 1876 (Guion, Texas), 
m Mary L. Nelson, 1900. 

(a) J. Overton Holt, b 1903. 

(8) Sallie Bettie Holt, b 1880 (Guion, Texas), 
m J. M. Love, 1898. 

(a) Leroy Love, b 1900. 

(b) Emma Love, b 1902. 

(9) Emma C. Holt, b 1882, d 1884. 

(B) Jacob M. Shofner, b 1841 (Shelbyville, Tenn.).^ /9/^ 

m Melissa E. Landis, 1862. ci^ . 

(1) Alice Shofner, b 1863. 

ml R. D. King, 1884 (d 1895). 

(a) Hoyt King, b 1885, d 1902. 

(b) Morton King, b 1887. 



92 Shoffner History. 



(c) Reddin Douglas King, b 1892, 
d 1896. 
m 2 Charles H. Armstrong, 1897 (Cairo, 
111.). 

(2) Emma Shofner, b 18G4 ( Shelby ville, 

Tenn. ) . 
m E. B. Maupin, 1884 (d 1900). 
(a) Edward B. Maupin, b 1886. 

(3) Edna Shofner, b 1867, d 1868. 

(4) Argie Shofner, b 1873 (Shelbyville, Tenn.). 
m William JP. Cooper, 1894. 

(a) William Trentice Cooper, b 1895. 

(b) Mildred Cooper, b and d 1898. 

(C) Mary Jane Shoffner, b 1843, d 1873. 
m Milton Phillips, 1859 (d 1887). 

(1) Horace J. Phillips, b 1860. d 1891. 
m Bessie Beacham. 1885. 

(a) Reverdy Shoffner Phillips, b 
1887, d 1891. 

(2) Florence Phillips, b 1865 (Columbus, 

Kan. ) . 
m James J. Goodpasture, 1884. 

(a) Maurice Elmer Goodpasture, b 

1886. 

(b) Mary Adelaide Goodpasture, b 

1888. 

(c) Wright Irl Goodpasture, b 1890. 

(d) Hugh Shoffner Goodpasture, b 

1893. 

(e) Lola Ethel Goodpasture, b 1896. 

(f) Lucile Goodpasture, b 1898. 

(3) Ida L. Phillips, b 1867 (Nashville, Tenn.). 
m Lan Cox, 1887. 

(a) Charlie Cox, b 1888. 

(b) Maggie Cox, b 1891. 

(c) Allie Cox, b 1893. 

(d) Herbert Cox, 1895. 

(e) Gertrude Cox, b 1900. 

(f ) Cox, b 1902. 



Chronological Table. 93 

(4) Mikie S. Phillips, b and d 1870. 

(5) Hugh W. Phillips, b 1872, d 1800. 

(D^ Emma A. Shofifner, b 1845 (Shelbyville, Tenn.).^ 
m John F. Moore, 1861 (d 1905). 

(1) Arch. S. Moore, b 1862 (Beech Grove, 

Tenn.), 
m Lucy Ashley, 1888. 

(a) Ashley Moore, b 1889. 

(b) Shofner M. Moore, b 1892. 

(c) Norman Moore, b 1895. 

(2) Mary Moore, b 1864 v Shelbyville, Tenn.). 
m Taylor Cannon, 1886. 

(a) Everett Cannon, b 1888. 

(b) Alberta Cannon, b 1890. 

(c) Mike Cannon, b 1892. 

(d) Wilburn Cannon, b 1894. 

(e) Jennie Cannon, b 1896. 

(f) Eula Cannon, b 1898. 

(g) Lucy Evaline Cannon, b 190.3. 

(3) Mike Shofner Moore, b 1866, d 1890. 

(4) Nannie Y. Moore, b 1869 (Beech Grove, 

Tenn.). 
m William M. Ashley, 1891. 

(a) Emma C. Ashley, b 1895. 

(5) Freddie E. Moore, b 1871, d 1874. 

(6) Jennie A. Moore, b 1873, d 1896. 
m John G. Keeling, 1895, 

(7) Andrew M. Moore, b 1875 (Shelbyville, 

Tenn. ) . 

(8) Hugh L. Moore, b 1878 (Shelbyville, 

Tenn.). 

(9) Myrtle E. Moore, b 1884 (Shelbyville, 

Tenn.). 

(E) John E. Shoffner, b 1847 (Shelbyville, Tenn.). 
m Mary E. Young, 1866. 

(1) Madora Shoffner, b 1868. d 1873. 



94 Shoffner History. 



(2) Eugene B. Shoffner, b 1870 (Beech Grove, 

Tenn. ) . 
m Evie M. Ashley, 1893. 

(a) Jeanette Shoffner, b 1804. 

(b) Paul Shoffner, b and d 1896. 

(c) Sadie Mae Shoffner, b 1897. 

(3) Clarence L. Shoffner, b 1873 (Shelbyville, 

Tenn.). 
m Bessie Beatrice Glascock, 1903. 
(a) Hazel Lee Shoffner, b 1904. 

(4) Irene Shoffner, b 1875 (Shelbyville, 

Tenn.). 
m Albert F. Mullins, 1893. 

(a) Alric F. Mullins, b 1896. 

(b) James Eugene Mullins i Twins, 

(c) Mamie Irene Mullins j b 1899. 

(5) Clyde II. Shoffner, b 1877 (Shelbyville, 

Tenn. ) . 
m Marie D. Ashley, 1899. 

(a) Ilubie May Shoffner, b 1903. 

(0) Omar Shoffner, b 1880 (Shelbyville, 

Tenn.). 
m Eoline Walters, 1904. 

(7) Nina Shoffner, b 1884 (Shelbyville, Tenn.). 

(F) Hugh L. Shofner, b 1848 (Shelbyville, Tenn.). d^ 
m Bettie S. Young, 1876. 

(1) Infant son. b and d 1878. 

(2) Infant son, b and d 1888. 

(3) Infant son, b and d 1890. 

(4) Elsie Shofner, b and d 1895. 

(G) Finis E. Shofner, b 1850 (Shelbyville, Tenn.).c;( 

m Bettie Reaves, 1869. 

(1) Ruthie A. Shofner, b 1870 (Murfreesboro, 
Tenn.). 
m John W. Harris. 1888. 

- (a) Edwin Thomas Harris, b 1889. 

(b) Alma A. Harris, b 1890. 



Clt,ronological Table. 95 



(c) "L. D." Harris, b 1892. 

(d) John William Harris, b 1893. 

(e) Zora Agnes Harris, b 1895. 

(f) Bordie Lee Harris, b 1897. 

is) Johnnie Alice Harris, b 1898. 
(h) Chanie Elizabeth Harris, b 1900. 

(2) Ada E. Shofner, b and d 1873. 

(3) Ernest J. Shoffner, b 1874 ( Shelby ville, 

Tenn.). 
m Ethel Erwin, 1903. 

(a) Georgia Catherine Shoffner, b 
1904. 

(4) William Verner Shofner, b 1877, d 1880. 

(5) Nora Agnes Shofner, b 1880 (Shelby ville, 

Tenn.). 
m Walter Shearin, 1904. 

(6) Mary Lee Shofner, b and d 1883. 

17) Gracie G. Shofner,* b 1885 (Shelbyville, 
Tenn.). 

(8) Walter Mike Shofner, b 1890 (Shelby- 
ville, Tenn.). 

(H) Martha W. Shofner, b 1851. d 1854. 

(I) James J. Shofner, b and d 1853. 

(J) Christina L. Shoffner, b 1854 (Tullahoma, Tenn.). 

m Maclin II. Davis, 1872 (d 1898). 

(1) Ewin L. Davis, b 1876 (Tullahoma, 

Tenn.). 
m Callie Windsor, 1898. 

(a) John Windsor Davis, b 1900. 

(b) Margaret Davis, b 1903. 

(2) Norman H. Davis, b 1878 (Havana, Cuba), 
m Mackie Paschall, 1898. 

(a) Maclin P. Davis, b 1898. > 

(b) Norman P. Davis, b 1899. 

(c) Martha Davis, b 1902. 

(3) Paul Davis, b 1880 (Nashville, Tenn.). 



"% 



96 Shoffner History. 



(4) Auda Lee Davis, b 1884, d 1889. 

(5) Thurman J. Davis, b 1890. 

(6) Christina Davis i 

^ Twins, b 1893. 

(7) Lamont Davis ) 

(K) Laura E. Shoffner, b 1856 ( Shelby ville, Tenn.). 
m Mor|?an C. Webb, 1876. 

(1) Effie B. Webb, b 1877 (Shelby ville. Tenn.>. 
m Ross Shearin, 1899 (d 1904). 

(2) Tinie S. Webb, b 1879 (Shelby ville, Tenn.). 
m Henry K. Morgan, 1899. 

(a) Lester Morgan, b 1900. 

(b) Ernestine Morgan, b 1901. 

(3) Floy P. Webb, b 1885. 

(4) Nellie Kate Webb, b 1890. 

(5) "M. C." Webb, Jr., b 1892. 
X6) Laurine Webb, b 1896. 

(L) Jennie B. Shoffner, b 1858, d 1887. 

m Gideon A. Brown, 1877 (De Vall's Bluff, Ark.). 

(1) Jessie Brown, b 1879 (Fulton, Mo.). 

(2) Shoffner Brown, b 1881 (De Vall's Bluff, 

Ark. ) . 

(3) Chester A. Brown, b 1883 (De Vall's 

Bluff, Ark.). 

(4) Alfred L. Brown, b 1885 (De Vall's 

Bluff, Ark.). 

(M) Cora A. Shoffner, b 1859 (Galena, Kan.). C^ 
m Thomas B. Carpenter, 1878. 

(1) Alma C. Carpenter, b 1881. 

(2) Mabel A. Carpenter, b 1883. 

(3) "T. B." Carpenter, Jr.. b 1890. 
(IV. Michael Shoffner. 1818-1892.) 

m^ Harriet Berry, 1877 (d 1899). 



Chronological Table. 97 

V. Mary (Polly) Shoffner. b 1820. d 1882. 
m Thomas Boyers, 1838 (d 1868). 

(A) John Boyers. b 1839. 

m Letitia Landers. 1866. 

(B) Amelia A. Boyers, b 1842 (Lynchburg, Tenn.). 
ml James Price, 1875 (d 1880). 

m- John A. Silvertooth, 1881 (d 1892). 

(C) Fannie Boyers, b 1844 (Newton. Kan.), 
m Albert G. McQuiddy, 1867. 

(1) Tom B. McQuiddy. b 1869. 

(2) George W. McQuiddy. b 1871. 

(3) Mary Beulah McQuiddy, b 1872. 

(4) Fred. Omar McQuiddy. b 187."). 
(.5) Jessie May McQuidd- b 1877. 

(6) Blanche McQuiddy. b 1880. 

(7) Minnie A. McQuiddy, b 1883. 

(D) Sandy Boyers, b 1847 (Hall's Station, Tenn.). 
m Lucy Curling. 18 — . 

(1) Ocea Boyers, b 18 — . 

(2) Laudra Boyers, b 18 — . 

(3) Fleda Boyers, b IS — . 

(4) Clyde Boyers, b 18 — . 

(5) Ruth Boyers, b 18 — . 

(E) Sallie Boyers, b 18.j0 (Chattanooga, Tenn.). 
m Burrow Wells, 1872. 

(1) Burrow Justin Wells, b and d 1872. 

(2) R. Encell Wells, b 1874 (South Pitts- 

burg, Tenn.). 
m Hattie Holt, 1893. 

(a) Encell Wells, b 189."). 

(b) Florence Wells, b 1899. 

(c) Francis Ethel Wells, b 1903. 



98 Shoffner History. 



(3) T. Elric Wells, b 1878 (Chattanooga, 

Tenn.). 

(4) William Hexley Wells, b 1881 (South 

Pittsburg, Tenn.). 

(5) Mary S. Wells, b 1884 (Chattanooga, 

Tenn.). 

(6) Lulan Earl Wells, b 1888 (Chattanooga, 

Tenn.). 

(F) Mary E. Boyers, b 1853, d 1893. 

m James Silvertooth, 1886 (Lynchburg, Tenn.). 

(1) Frankie Silvertooth, b 1887. 

(2) Bessie Silvertooth, b 1889. 

(G) Hexley E. Boyers, b 1856 (Cowan, Tenn.). 
m Clara Bobo, 1888. 

(1) Claude Boyers, b 1889. 

(H) Minnie Boyers, b 1859 (Tullahoma, Tenn.). 
m James Smoot, 1880. 

(1) Alda Smoot, b 1881 (Normandv. Tenn.). 
m Clayton McQuiddy, 1902. 

(2) Clarence Smo©t, b 1883. 

(3) Anna Lois Smoot. b 1887, d 1892. 

(4) Maude Vesta Smoot, b 1889. 

(5) Carl J. Smoot, b 1892. 

(6) Leah Losley Smoot, b 1894, d 1897. 

(7) Boyers Smoot, b 1898. 

(8) Daniel Dale Smoot, b 1902. 

(I) Bettie Boyers, b 1862 (Lake City Fla.). 
m J. D. Crabb, 1890. 

(1) Roy Crabb, b 1891. 

(2) "J. D." Crabb, Jr., b 1895. 



Chronological Tahle. 99 

VI. Julia B. Shoffner, b 1823, d 1891. 

m George W. Morton, 1839 (d 1870). 

(A) ^Yilliam H. (Tip) Morton, b 1839, d 1902. 
m^ Lucy H. Arnold, 1863 (d 1899). 

(1) James R. Morton, b 18G4 (War trace, 

Tenn.). 
m Belle Koonce, 1887. 

(a) William E. Morton, b 1888, d 

1889. 

(b) Robert F. Morton, b 1890. 

(c) John H. Morton, b 1894. 

(d) Eldridge L. Morton, b 1894. 

(e) Hobart Morton, b 1896, d 1901. 

(f) Ralph Bernard Morton, b 1902. 

(2) George Moody Morton, b 1866, d 1867. 
m2 Nora Neil, 1901 (d 1902). 

(B) Sophronia Ann Morton, b 1842 (Nashville, Tenn.). 

m Samuel Moody Holt, 1863. 

(1) William F. Holt, b 1864 (Nashville, 
Tenn.). 
m Clara I. Grass, 1897. 

(a) William Fisher Holt, b 1899. 

(b) Clarence Moody Holt, b 1900. 

(c) George Edward Holt, b 1902. 

' (2) Bennie Holt, b and d 1868. 

(3) Lula J. Holt, b 1876 (Normandy, Tenn.). 
m John Penn, 1899. 

(a) Stanley Holt Penn, b 1902. 

(4) George W. Holt, b 1878 (Nashville, Tenn.). 

(5) Samuel M. Holt, b 1881 (Nashville, Tenn.). 

(C) James C. Morton, b 1845 (Petersburg, Tenn.). 

ml Nannie C. Stokes, 1864 (d 1874). 

(1) Annie Morton, b 1866 (Wartrace, Tenn.). 
m John Jarman, 1886. 

(a) Sallie J. Jarman, b 1888. 

(b) Arthur M. Jarman, b 1889. 



100 Shoffner History. 



(c) "E. H." Jarman, b 1891. 

(d) James C. Jarman, b 1892. d 1899. 

(e) Henry C. Jarman, b 1894. 

(f) Nannie C. Jarman, b 1890. 

(g) John Dwigbt Jarman, b 1898. • 
(h) Lettie M. Jarman, b and d 1900. 

(i) Andrew Howard Jarman, b 1901. 
(j) Claude Jarman 
(k) Ma 



Lude Jarman \ „ . . .r.,.i 
, _ ( Twins, b 1904. 

ude Jarman -• 



(2) Arthur L. Morton, b 1867 (Alabama 

City, Ala.). 

m 2 Bettie A. Thomas, 1877. 

(3) George W. Morton, b 1879 (Winchester, 

Tenn.). 
m Florence Lancaster, 1902. 

(a) Dixie Mai Morton, b 1902. 

(4) Horace W. Morton, b 1882 (Alabama 

City, Ala.), 
m Zeddie Smith, 1904. 

(5) Maude E. Morton, b 1885. 

(6) James A. Morton, b 1890. 

(7) Julia B. Morton, b 1898. 

(D) Martha Jane Morton, b 1850 (Shelbyville, Tenn.). 
m Neely S. MeConnell, 1874. 

(1) Fannye B. MeConnell, b 1875. 

(2) George N. MeConnell, b 1877. 

(3) James M. MeConnell, b 1879. 

(4) Claude V. MeConnell, b 1887. 

(E) Julia Ellen Morton, b 1852 (Wartrace, Tenn.). 
m Daniel A. MeConnell, 1876. 

(1) Bennie A. MeConnell, b 1878, d 1898. 

(2) Ernest MeConnell, b 1881 (Wartrace, 

Tenn. ) . 
^ m Lula liackley, 1902. 

(a) Pearl Ellen MeConnell, b 1902. 



Chronolocjical Tabic. 101 

(3) Henry McConuell. b 188 — . 

(4) Minnie Lee McConnell. b 1887 (War- 

trace, Tenn.). 
m Henry O'Neal, 1J)(>4. 

(5) Moody McConnell, b ISIK). 
(F) Lee M. Morton, b 1860, d 1901. 

m Dennis Searcy, 1876 (Wartrace, Tenn.). 

(1) Robert F. Searcy, b 1877 (NVartrace, 

Tenn.). 
m Zue Layne, 1899. 

(a) Larry Searcy, b 1900. 

(b) Louise Searcy, b 1902. 

(c) Sadie Lee Searcy, b 1904. 

(2) Moody Searcy, b 1878 (Manila, P. I.). 

(3) Oscar Searcy, b 1880 (Manila, P. I.). 

(4) Etta Searcy, b 1882. 

m Charlie Parson, 1901. 

(a) Charles Parson, Jr., b 1902. 

(5) Bessie Searcy, b 1886 (Shelby ville, Tenn.). 
m Clarence Watson, 1901. 

(a) Clarence Watson, Jr., b 1902. 

(6) Dennis Searcy, Jr., b 1888. 

(7) Eva Searcy, b 1890. 

(8) Carter Searcy, b 1893. 

VII. Phoebe Catherine Shoffner, b 1825, d 1826. 

VIII. Daniel M. (Dock) Shofner, b 1827, d 1889. 

m Emily Rachel Brittain, 1853 (Nashville, Tenn.). 
(A) William W. Shofner, b 1854 (Paducah, Ky.). 
m Francis Ellen McGuire, 1883. 

(1) Daniel Martin Shofner, b 1885. 

(2) Lewis Dean Shofner. b 1886. 

■ (3) William Emmett Shofner, b 1888. 



102 Shoffner History. 

(4) Hugh McGuii-e Shofner. b 1891. 

(5) Frederick Merlin Shofner, b 1893. 

(6) Aloysius Wilson Shofner, b 1896. 

(7) Mary Fabiola Shofner, b 1897, d 1899. 

(8) Joseph Edwin Shofner, b 1900. 

(9) Louise Thelma Shofner, b 1903. 

(B) Mitchel B. Shofner, b 1856 (Nashville, Tenn.). 

(C) Henry Gaston Shofner, b 1858 (Nashville, Tenn.). 

(D) Fannie Martin Shofner, b 1860, d 1861. 

(E) Samuel D. Shofner, b 1862 (Nashville, Tenn.). 

(F) Robert E. Shofner, b 1870, d 1884. 

(G) Martha Amelia Shofner. b 1875 (Nashville, Tenn.). 
m John W. Wirsching, 1901. 

IX. Martha Shoffner, b 1829, d 1899. 

ml Edwin L. Bryan, 1847 (d 1854). 
m2 Felix Motlow, 1856 (d 1872). 
m^ W. H. Dyer, 1874 (d 1880). 

X. Charlotte Shoffner, b and d 1832. 

XI. Emily Jane Shofner, b 1834 (Rover, Tenn.). 
ml James W. Wardlow, 1856 (d 1860). 

(A) Emma Wardlow, b 1858, d 1861. 
m2 Wilford E. Coleman, 1871 (d 1879). 

(B) Martha Wilford (Mattie) Coleman, b 1872 (Rover, 

Tenn.). 

m3 John W. Hester, 1885 (Rover, Tenn.). 
XII. Sophronia Ann Shofner, b 1837, d 1841. 

(JOHN SHOFNER, 1787-1857.) 

m- Isabella Beavers, 1851 (d 1887). 



Chronological Table. 103 

XIII. Annie Belle Shofner, b 1852 (Columbia, Tenn.). 
m Alexander Coleman, 1875 (d 1880). 

(A) Paul Shofner Coleman, b 1877 (Wilburton, I. T.). 

(B) Pierre Allen Coleman, b 1879 (Columbia, Tenn.). 
m Joe D. Hutton, 1900. 

(1) Josephine Hutton, b 1901. 

XIV. John Clay Shofner, b 1854 (Nashville, Tenn.). 
m Julia Neil, 18 — . 

(A) Brenda Shofner, b 18 — , d 18 — . 

XV. Isabella Shofner, b 1857, d 1861. 



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THE SHOFFNER REUNIONS. 



A historical treatise like this would not be complete 
without imparting to absent meml^ers the proceedings' 
of the five fainily reunions of the past. The most ef- 
fective way to do this is to reproduce the articles writ- 
ten for the county papers just after each meeting. The- 
reports of the reunions of 1900, 1901, and 1903 were 
written for the Bedford Countv Times bv Mrs. Chris. 
H. Shotfner, while those for 1902 and 1904 were writ- 
ten by her for this publication. 



THE FIRST REUNION- SEPTEMBER 5-7, 1900. 

For the last five or six months three young men — • 
Claude W. Shofner, of Mulberry, Tenn, ; Sam. Shofner, 
of Xashville, Tenn. ; and Alden Shofner, of Flat Creek, 
Tenn. — have been agitating the question of having a 
" Shofner Reunion." At first they met with very little 
encouragement, as many of the relatives did not grasp 
the full meaning; while others who did were indifferent 
and said it was too big an undertaking, and they pre- 
dicted a failure. Xevertheless, these young men kept 
talking it up here and there, as they chanced to meet 
some one of this family, until they succeeded in getting 
a sufficient number interested so as to consider a tini'^ 
and place of meeting. They finally decided to hold the- 
reunion on September 5-7, as it was more of an idlo 



108 Shoffner History. 

time and there would be moonlight nights. A grove 
on the premises of Col. William J. Shofner, of Thomp- 
son's Creek, was selected as being the most suitable, 
taking everything into consideration, as it was more 
centrally located and it was in this immediate neigh- 
borhood that the two brothers, Martin and Peter Shof- 
ner, settled on coming to this State. Then, Colonel 
Shofner was the oldest Shofner among the men, as far 
as could be learned. 

Circulars were struck and sent far and near. T'he 
original committee, together with some others, met and 
spent several days clearing up the grounds, erecting a 
stand, and making quite a number of seats. 

On Wednesday morning of the 5th they began to put 
in an appearance, and the grounds soon presented a 
busy scene. Some were getting their tents stretched 
and arranging their camping outfits, while here and 
there were seen groups of friends laughing and talking 
and going forward every few minutes to greet fresh ar- 
I'ivals. The afternoon was spent in preparations and 
in welcoming old friends and new. At seven o'clock 
every one was requested to come together for the first 
business meeting. C. H. Shofner, of Thompson's Creek, 
was elected permanent chairman; Claude W. Shofner, 
permanent secretary. After the passing of various res- 
olutions looking to the general welfare of the meeting, 
a short programme was rendered. The exercises were 
opened with the singing of the " Shofner Jubilee '' wel- 
come song by the grandchildren of Col. William Shof- 
ner. Prof. Horace Ilooser, of Haley, then entertained 
the crowd with a ]nost interesting historical address, 
giving an account of tlie Sliofner family from the time 



The Shoffner Reunions. 109 

that their great ancestors, Martin and Peter Shofner, 
came here from North Carolina and settled in this 
county, do^vn to the present day, showing that there- 
were then represented on those grounds descendants oi 
those men even to the seventh generation. J. C. Shof- 
ner (Fiddler Jim) and W. H. Shofner rendered some 
stirring violin music. Mr. Elmer Slater, of Haley, gave 
us a lively little impromptu speech, and Mr. Johnnie 
Shofner and Ernest Burrow sang some of the popular 
" coon '' songs of the day. Miss Maude Kimsey re- 
cited the " Backwoods Wedding.^' Mrs. Kelly Shofner, 
of Mulberry, sang in her rich voice one of the dear old 
songs of long ago. After this we were at liberty to go 
home or stay and talk and have music and a good time 
generally till we got sleepy. 

On Thursday morning the various vehicles came roll- 
ing in, filled to their utmost capacity with laughing 
people and baskets of provisions. Then there was an- 
other happy meeting of old friends and new. Some met 
there who had not seen each other for years. While 
smiles wreathed their faces, tears were not far off and 
could often be seen rolling down their cheeks. You 
could hear some one say: "Why, if yonder isn't Aunt, 
Uncle, or Cousin So and So! I wonder will they rec- 
ognize us after all these years ? '' They would go for- 
ward in groups, and you could hear them say, " Yes, I 
knew you by your voice," or " by your eyes," or, again . 
" No, I never would have known you, so greatly have the 
flight of years and the trials of life changed you." Peo- 
ple who were boys and girls together would be seen 
bringing their own boys and girls and grandchildren to 
introduce them to each other. 0, it was a happy scene, 



110 Slioffner History. 

and sometimes a very sad one, as some met each other 
clad in emblems of mourning, and you saw them weep 
for those who were gone ! Then we began to realize that 
there were Shofners and Shofners on those grounds. 
From far-off South Dakota came Mrs. Angeline Weber^ 
with her daughter and grand-daughter. She said she 
had intended coming later on; but only the day before 
she started came the circular telling of this great reun- 
ion, and she just bundled things together, and here she 
was shaking hands with all her old friends and kindred. 
The AVest Tennessee delegation was represented by 
Thomas J. Shofner and Avife, Mrs. Daniel P. Shofner, 
and ]\[rs. J. Wooslev — all of Union Citv. Mr. E. C. 
Shofner was there from Corinth, Ark. ; Mr. W. F. 
Cheshire (Old Snike), his wife^ and boy, from Eock- 
wood. 111. ; Mrs. Eva Euless Landis and four cliil- 
dren, from Chattanooga, Tenn. ; Mr. Scott Gordon, 
from Texas. James Morton and Terry Landis — 
tlie genial, musical Terry — were there to repre- 
sent Petersburo", 'J'enn. .^Irs. John Reese and dauii'h- 
ter (Miss Annie), Mr. and Mrs. Jim Cold well and 

two children, Mr. and J\Irs. John Kelso, ^Mr. Ku- 
gene Landis, Mr. William Shofner and daughter, and 
])erhaps others whom we did not meet, were tliere from 
Fayetteville, Tenn. From ]\[ull)erry and Boonville, 
Tenn., came Mrs. Xancv Shofner, ei^-htv-four years ot 
age; Mrs. Eol)ert ^Mooi'e, son, and daughter; ^Irs. Scoti 
Shofner; Mr. and Mrs. Eobert Small, daughter, and 
son; ]\lr. and Airs. Milton Shofner, daughter, and son; 
Mrs. Ellen Shofner and four sons; Mrs. Kelly Shofner; 
Mrs. Cord Farrar and four cliildren; ]\[r. and Airs. J. 
C. Shofner and two charming daughters, ^[ary and 



The Shoffner Reunions. Ill 

Alice, and also little Alberta. From Flat Creek and 
vicinity were Mr. and Mrs. James B. Shofner, Mr. Joe 
Rencgar and family, ]\Ir. and ]\Irs. George Shofner and 
family, Mrs. Ellen Parker and children, Mrs. Ann 
AA'agoner and little grand-daughter (Beulah Holman), 
Mr. Henry Dean and family, Mr. Henry Bearden and 
laniily, and Miss Ethel Shofner. From Shelbyville and 
near by were Mrs. Hattie Shoffner, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. 
Shofner and family, Mrs. Alice Armstrong and two 
sons, Mr. John Burrow, Miss Edna Word, Mr. and Mrs. 
AVing, and one of the Shofners' best friends — Mr. Jolm 
W. Kuth. Xashville sent us Mrs.. Rachel Shofner and 
daughter. Miss Amelia, and Sam. and Gaston, also 
William W. Shofner and two sons. From Farmington 
were Mrs. Xancy McQuiddy and three grandsons. War- 
trace furnished Mr. H. T. Parker and family, Mr. and 
Mrs. ]\[ilton Dean, Mr. and Mrs. Rol)ert Ayers, Mrs. 
Julia Gattis and daughter, and Mr. Tip Morton. 
Those we knew from Sino;leton were Mr. and Mrs. 
Hiram Burrow, Mr. Jeff. Stanfield and family, 
Mr. Lafayette Reaoor and family, ^h\ and ^Ir^^. 
Joe Proby, ]\Ir. and ]\rrs. J. C. AA^oosley; and Mrs. Mat- 
tie Clay was also there, from Wheel. From Pop- 
lin's Cross Roads came Mr. Gracen Shearin and fam- 
ily. Butler's Creek sent Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Shofner, 
ilr. and Mrs. AV. M. Miller, Mrs. Joe Mullins, ]\Iiss 
Ethel AVells and two brothers. Decherd showed u]) 
with Mrs. Mary Bearden. Tullalioma redeemed herself 
l)y sending a pretty fair delegation, consisting of Mr. 
Lonzo Conger and family, Mrs. Tina Davis, Mr. and 
Mrs. Micajah Troxler and children, Mr. H. M. Kim- 
sey, and Mr. Xewt. Muse and son. From Haley and 



112 Shojfner History. 

vicinity there were Mr. Jep. B. Shofner and two boys, 
Mr. Thomas A. Shofner and famil}^, Mr. and Mrs. El- 
mer Slater, Mr. George Slater and family, Mrs. S. E. 
Slater and daughter, Mrs. Bettie Ayers, Mr. Mitch. 
Hooser and family, Mr. Dock Shofner and family, Mr. 
Joe Shofner and family, and Mr. Frederick Shofner. 
From Thompson's Creek and Eaus were Mr. Riley Bur- 
row and family, ]\Ir. and Mrs. Jesse Walling, Mr. Smith 
Lawrence and family, Mrs. Lula Johnson, Mrs. Turley 
Bomar, Mrs. Grace McMillan, Mr. Allen Shofner and 
family, Mr. Tom Hornady and family, Mrs. Bettie 
Jenkins and children, Chris. H. Shofner and family, 
W. H. Sliofner and family. Col. William Shofner and 
wife, Mr. Billy Shofner and family, Mr. and Mrs. 
Woody Templeton, Mr. and Mrs. Everett Hitt, Mr. 
Bud Brinkley and family, Mrs. Sue Shofner, Mr. and 
Mrs. Sharp, the Misses and Mrs. Dean, Mr. James 
Lokey and family, ]\Ir. Newton Bomar and family, Mr. 
J. P. Kimsey and family, Mr. T. A. Himes and wife, 
Mrs. Eobert Jenkins, Mr. Henderson Shofner, ]\lr. Mon- 
roe Shofner and family. Miss Emily Span, Mr. Pinkney 
Prince and family. Mr. Ernest Shofner was there from 
Erin, having a big time with his old friends and rela- 
tives. Mrs. Mary Keller and Mrs. Dr. Ryall and daugh- 
ter were also there. 

All of these mentioned are related. Perhaps we 
have overlooked several names; but if so, it was unin- 
tentional. There was quite a large crowd of neigh- 
bors and friends outside the family who came to look 
on and enjoy the exercises and have a good time. 

On Thursday afternoon there was another business 
meeting, resulting in the election of officers for the 



The Shoffner Reunio7is. 113 

next anmial meeting and the appointing of a Commit- 
tee on Family History. It was then suggested that 
Col. William Shofner, being the oldest among the men, 
and Mrs. Xanc}^ Shofner, of Lincoln County, widow of 
the late Jephtha Shofner, being the oldest lady, be 
elected as father and mother, so to speak, of this meet- 
ing and given the seats of honor. So a committee was 
appointed to escort them to the stand ; and this being 
done and after a brief talk from Colonel Sliofner, it 
was proposed that while a march was being played every 
one present should fde past them and congratulate and 
shake hands with them. Mr. John W. Euth made an 
appropriate talk, which was well received. By re- 
quest, Mr. W. F. Slater, of Haley, read in a most im- 
pressive manner an obituary written by a friend of the 
late Dan. P. Shofner. who was killed bv a fall do^\Ti an 
open elevator shaft at Memphis a few years since. The 
meeting was closed with prayer by Mr. Euth. 

At 8 : 30 P.M. another programme was rendered. 
The opening song was "xlmerica.^^ Then came an ad- 
dress by C. H. Shofner, which was received with enthusi- 
asm by the audience. H. T. Parker was called on, and 
responded in his usual happy style. He said that C. 
H. Shofner had said that the Shofners had helped de- 
velop all that was good, not only in this State, but in 
several other States ; that they had a reputation wherever 
found for honesty, morality, and charity. He said 
they were such a grand and glorious old race, as we 
had just heard extolled, and were fulfilling the Bible 
injunction to " multiply and replenish the earth " at 
such an alarming extent, he would take back his oft- 
repeated objections to President McKinley^s foreign 



114 Shoffner History. 

pollc}^, as he now- saw and believed that ]\IcKinley evi- 
dentl}' was well acquainted with this great family and 
their wonderful posterity; hence his idea of acquiring 
more territory. Seeing, he said, the coming prestige 
of tlie Sliofners, lie years ago got into the right boat 
by marrying one of them. Then followed a speech Ijy 
Mr. Euless Lawrence, which did him great credit. 
Xext, music by Misses Mary and Alice Shofner, J. C. 
Shofner, and Terry Landis; recitation, Eulan Bomar; 
piano solo. Miss Annie Reese; vocal duet, " 0, Tell Us, 
Merry Birds ! " Misses Mamie Jenkins and Clara Shof- 
ner; vocal duet. Misses jSTora and Estha Shofner; reci- 
tation, Miss Maude Kimsey ; song, " Twinkle, Little 
Star,^' little Lettie and Georgia Shofner; music on harp 
and piano, Roy Shofner and mother ; violin solo, Has- 
kell Shofner; song, Roy Shofner and sister and Mamie 
Jenkins. 

Fridav mornini'' revealed much the same scenes as 
the previous days. After dinner, as time drew near to 
say, " Good-by," they were loath to part. While tents 
were being taken down and goods and cliattels packed 
up ready for departure, there was again a good time 
enjoyed by all, listening to speeches by 'Squire Frost, 
of Flat Creek; Mr. Lige Roberts, of Raus; H. M. Kim- 
sey, of Tullahoma; Thomas Shofner, of Union City; 
William Shofner, of Xashville; (\ H. Shofner; and 
Rev. Ephraim Anthony. 'Squire Frost told almut his 
various connections with tlu^ Shofner family, and said 
he once had a Shofner sweetheart, and that " let him 
in." 'Squire Roberts told how he had rabbit hunted 
and gone coon and 'possum hunting over these same 
old hills in bygone days with the Shofner boys. He 



Tlie Shoffner Beumons. 115 

told about his visits at '' Uncle Bill Shofner's/' and said 
he believed he could have shown as many " stone 
bruises " on his heels as any of them, and that he, too, 
used to have a Shofner sweetheart. Eev. Ephraim 
Anthony said he claimed relationship with the family, 
as his grandmother was a Shofner; and he gave much 
interesting information in regard to it. ]\Ir. Kimsey 
told about his experience as a schoolmaster in these parts 
and various items of interest connected with his youth. 
Then came talks in memory of our beloved dead. A 
hush fell over the laughing assembly, heads were bow^d 
in solemn reverence, and tears were shed over their ab- 
sence, while Chris., Thomas, Will. Shofner, and others 
paid tribute in eloquent words to their virtues. After 
the singing 1)y all of that old, sweet song, " God Be 
with You," we were dismissed, to be called together 
next year by the notification of the special committee. 

Every one agreed it had been good to be there. Every 
day there was an abundance of dinner prepared by the 
relatives, and everybody was most cordially invited to 
partake. Every afternoon at half past four the young, 
as well as the old, enjoyed a fine game of ])aseball. 
Games of other kinds — such as croquet, crokinole, etc. — 
could be enjoyed at all times. Ice lemonade was fur- 
nished free. 

A vote of thanks was tendered the three young men 
mentioned in recognition of their efforts in bringing 
aliout this great meeting. After a general hand shake 
and promise to meet again, all of us who could (and 
none will miss, if living and well), we wended our way 
homeward, tired in body, but happy in spirit. 



116 Sliojfner History. 

THE SECOND REUNION, 1901, 

The Shofner reunion, for which we have worked and 
planned for weeks past, lias come and gone. The place 
where yesterda}' was all hustle and mirth is now peace- 
ful and quiet. ISTo sound is heard, save the song of the 
hirds or the chirp of the cricket or tree frog ; and if per- 
chance some friend passes that way to-day, he would feel 

" Like one who treads alone 

Some banquet hall deserted, 
Whose lights had fled. 
Whose garlands dead. 

And all hut he departed." 

Not before Tuesday afternoon did there seem to be 
any indication of the opening scene; but by two o'clock 
on that day the rumble of wagons and buggies, the 
sound of hammer and saw and gay voices calling here 
and. there, began to ring out on the air. Owing to the 
continued rains of the past week, many who had con- 
templated " tenting out " ceased to make any arrange- 
ments; and, therefore, when the sun shone out and the 
time was at hand, they were unprepared, and could not 
join the jolly company encamped on the hillsides. 
Enough came, however, to make it appear something 
like we had hoped it would be. 

The reunion proper began Wednesday morning. The 
first thing after the opening song they were called to 
order by the chairman, C. H. Shofner. The minutes 
of the preceding meeting were read by x\lden Shof- 
ner, in the aljsence of C. W. Shofner, the regular sec- 
retary. Eeports of committees on family history were 



The Shoffner Reunions. 11/ 

read and the committees discharged. The election of 
officers for 1902 was then in order. C. H. Shofner was 
reelected chairman; Alden B. Shofner, secretary. It 
was moved and carried that the chair appoint another 
Historical Committee, whose work, when completed, be 
printed in pamphlet form. The chairman was also in- 
structed to appoint an Executive Committee, consist- 
ing of five men, whose duty shall be to say when and 
where the next reunion shall be held and who shall have 
full power to dictate as to what the nature of the en- 
tertainment shall be and everything pertaining thereto. 
On the afternoon of the last day of the reunion the 
chairman read out the names of the two committees, as 
follows : Historical Committee — Joseph Shofner, Ha- 
ley, Tenn; Elmer Slater, Haley, Tenn. ; T. A. Shofner, 
Haley, Tenn. ; Eiley Burrow, Shelbyville, Tenn. ; Clar- 
ence L. Shoffner, Wartrace, Tenn. ; Milton Dean, War- 
trace, Tenn.; Mitchel Holt, Eaus, Tenn.; Milton Shof- 
ner, Mulberry, Tenn.; Thomas J. Jones, Singleton, 
Tenn. These represent each branch of Martin and Pe- 
ter Shofner. Executive Committee — J. M. Shofner, 
Shelbyville, Tenn.; James B. Shofner, Flat Creek, 
Tenn. ; J. W. Jenkins, Normandy, Tenn. ; T. A. Shof- 
ner, Haley, Tenn. ; Sam. D. Shofner, Xashville, Tenn. 
T. A. Shofner was elected chairman and J. W. Jenkins 
was elected secretary of the Executive Committee. 

The address of welcome was given on Wednesday 
morning by I). W. Shofner, of Mount Pleasant, Tenn. 
His remarks were well received; and the people, in- 
deed, felt welcome, after hearing his words, to share 
in all the pleasant things provided. After this speech, 
dinner was in order; and the whole crowd was invited 



118 Shoffner History. 

to partake of the feast of good things such as the Shof- 
ners are famous for preparing, and the people did them 
amj^le justice. After dinner, a letter was read by W.* 
F. Slater, written by one of the relatives — Enoch Holt, 
of Arkansas. It had been the intention of the secre- 
tary to have read also several other interesting letters 
from some new-found kinfolks — one from Eobert Shof- 
ner, of Texas, giving some interesting data; another 
from Albert I). Shofner, of Paris, Tenn., stating that 
his father, Bedford Davis Shofner, is a grandson of 
Daniel Shofner; another, a beautiful letter of greeting 
from William Shofner ^\ells, of San Francisco, Cal., 
would have delighted the crowd — l)ut the neglect was 
an oversight much regretted by the secretary ; hence this 
explanation. 

On Wednesday night the organization listened with 
rapt attention to a most eloquent address by Mr. Clar- 
ence Shoffner, of Wartrace, Tenn. It was an able pro- 
duction, and quite covered the young orator with glory 
as amid the round of applause he took his seat. Sev- 
eral beautiful instrumental pieces were rendered by the 
old favorites — Jim B. Shofner and his daughter, Mrs. 
Mary Conger, and Miss Alice Shofner, piano. Good, 
stirring music by the Kimsey band was enjoyed, and 
the players were encored. Songs by Misses Cora, Alice, 
and Add Shofner, IMiss Mary Hooser, Eoy Shofner, and 
some of the old patriotic and plantation songs were sung 
by various other members. 

On ThuT'sday morning we liad the honor and great 
pleasure of listening to an address by Hon. Edmund 
Cooper, of Shelbyville, Tenn. it was a reminiscence of 
his knowledsre of the older Shofners and the first set- 



The SJwifner Reunions. 119 

tlement of this conntrv. He spoke of bis early ac- 
quaintance with such men as Eev. William Jenkins. 
Ximrod Burrow, the families who spelled their names 
both '" Landers " and " Landis," Martin Euless, Loton 
Shofner, William J. Shofner, and various others whose 
posterity were present. He spoke of the days when, 
in company with some of the Shofners, he hunted deer 
over the 2:rounds where Tullahoma now stands. • He 
contrasted the old times with the present, and showed 
the difference between the manner of harvesting the 
various crops, the styles, and everything pertaining to 
then and now. To say it was delivered in Mr. Cooper's 
most genial and generally delightful manner would be 
putting it very feebly and poorly expressing the senti- 
ments of the vast crowd who huns: on his words and 
who, with smiles mingled with tears, loudly and lov- 
ingi}' applauded the grand old champion of their race as 
he waved us a graceful good-by at the close. 

Hon. John W. Jenkins (well known to his old school- 
mates as " Fox " ) gave one of his characteristic speeches 
after dinner. He told of many haps and mishaps of 
his and others of his Shofner friends in the old days, 
which brought nods of aclaiowledgment from the boys, 
now fast growing old men, as he pointed them out scat- 
tered here and there through the crowd. Humor, pa- 
thos, and eloquence abounded throughout his speech; 
and the people would hardly agree for him to stop at 
all, so great a favorite is he. Compliments are extended 
to Mr. Ike Gattis and sister for music on the violin and 
piano ; also to Mrs. Cooper, Mrs. Maupin, the ]\[isses 
Parker, little Miss Josie Blanton, ]\[iss Xora Shofner, 
and others. Rev. Webb McQuiddy made an interesting 



120 Shoffner History. 

talk, which was well received. Miss Lillian Shaw de- 
lighted the audience from time to time with fine comic 
and other recitations. Those rendering other fine reci- 
tations were Miss Nora Bob Ayers, Miss Edna Word, 
Miss Pearl Blanton, little AYilmer Shofner, and last, 
but not least, Mrs. William Russell. 

On Thursday night we listened to a speech by Mr. 
Euless Lawrence, one of the younger members, which 
did him much credit; and we predict for him a bright 
future. Mr. Elmer Slater, who is also nicknamed 
" Lump,'^ next gave an impromptu talk. Elmer is also 
an old favorite, and never fails to " bring down the 
house." D. W. Shofner responded to calls from the 
audience; and when bidding us good-by, he promised 
to present to the next reunion a red-headed boy, whom 
he left at home this time, who would astound us all by 
his aj)t remai'ks, fine appearance, and all that kind of 
thing, you know. Some of the rest promise to show 
with you, Dan. A song by little Lettie and Georgia 
Shofner, a song by request (^' Dolly Grey") by Roy 
Shofner, and stirring pieces by the Shofner band and 
Mr. Ike Gattis closed the evening exercises. 

Friday was breaking-up day ; not much done but pull- 
ing down tents and saying good-by. As the sun nearcd 
its setting, there was a general hand shake all around, 
and we wended our way homeward, well satisfied witli 
what we had seen and heard and with a more exalted 
opinion of the Shofners than ever. Long nuiy they 
wave ! 



The Shoffiier Reunions. 121 

THE THIRD REUNION, 1902. 

The first two days of this reunion, August 18 and 19, 
were taken up with the setting up of tents and the usual 
routine of friendly greetings and getting ready for the 
opening exercises. 

Thursday morning, the 20th, dawned clear and 
bright ; and by ten o'clock the grounds presented a lively 
appearance. The meeting was called to order by the 
chairman, C. H. Shofner; and a short programme was 
rendered, opening with music, " Old Black Joe," with 
variations, by Jim Shofner on the violin, with piano 
accompaniment; next was a speech by Omar Shoffner, 
who was introduced by D. W. Shofner, of Mount Pleas- 
ant, Tenn; music by Miss Mamie Jenkins; reading of 
a letter by W. M. Holt ; vocal solo by Mrs. Tommy Shof- 
ner; then a recitation by Miss Lillian Shaw, "Don't 
He Look Awfully Cute ? " closed the day's exercises. 

On Friday morning wo had music by Miss Mamie 
Jenkins. Then followed the election of officers for 1903. 
Chris. H. Shofner was made chairman; Milton Shof- 
ner, assistant chairman. A. M. Shofner was elected 
secretarv, with Claude Shotfner as assistant. A mo- 
tion was then made and carried that a committee of 
one be appointed by the chairman to correspond with the 
War Department at Washington in regard to the erection 
of a fitting monument over the grave of Martin Shof- 
ner, our ancestor, who served in the Revolutionary War. 
Mr. Monroe Sliofner was appointed. On a motion to 
liold our meeting for next year on only two days a lively 
discussion followed, but it was finally left to the Execu- 
tive Committee. A motion was carried for the chair- 
man to appoint a Committee on Entertainment. After 



122 Slioffncr History. 



music on tlic violin and piano, adjournment ^Yas made 
for dinner. 

Friday afternoon, August 21, the meeting was called 
to order bv the chairman, ayIio gave out the list of ap- 
pointment for 1903, as follows: p]xecutive Committee — 
J. i\I. Shofner, Shelbvville; Thomas A. Shofner, Haley; 
James B. Shoffner, Flat Creek; John W. Jenkins, Nor- 
mandv; Huoh L. Shofner, Shelbvville. Committee on 
Programme — Mrs. Yinnie Shofner, Eaus ; Mr. Joe Shof- 
ner, Haley; Mrs. Emma Maupin, Shelby ville; Mr. Joe 
Mullins, Shelbyville; Miss Nora Shofner, Flat Creek; 
]\Ir. Willie Parker, Flat Creek; Mr. James Shoffner, 
]\Iulberry; and Miss Sallie Smith, Mulberry. Next was 
the delivery of reports of the Historical Committee. 
This committee was then reappointed and instructed to 
continue their work until it was completed. This 
closed the business part of the meeting. We then lis- 
tened to a fine and well-rendered speech by Mr. Clar- 
ence L. Shoffner, followed bv music bv Miss Nina Shoff- 
ner; song by Prof. Marvin Kimbro; instrumental solo 
by Miss Lilly McQuiddy ; speech by John Gordon, of 
Texas; song by John Shofner; recitation by little Sadie 
Shofner; song by Nat. and Sadie Shofner. We theu 
enjoyed short talks from J. W. Jenkins, Elmer Slater, 
D. W. Shoffner, and others, and then adjourned. 

TIk? next day, Saturday, was devoted to taking down 
tents, general hand shaking and good-byes, and promises 
to meet each other there again, if spared to see that 
time, in 1903; and if not, we said in our closing song 
we would meet in the "sweet by and by," God being 
willing, and we prayed him to be with us " till we meet 



again." 



The Slioffner Reunions. 123 

THE FOURTH REUNION, 1903. 

On Tuesday there was nothing done, except the put- 
ting up of tents of first arrivals and adding tlie finish- 
ing touches to the grounds and stand. 

Wednesday, Septemher 2, was cool and clear; and the 
niemhers of this great hody hegan to put in an appear- 
ance at an early hour. The first few hours were spent 
in the usual hand shakino- and the sound of meriw 
voices and gay laughter was to he heard on all sides. 
There was one new camper added to the list this year — 
^Irs. Tina Davis and children, of Tullahoma; and to 
her was awarded the medal for being the first arrival 
on the scene of action, and she was also the last to leave. 
Mr. Gas. Sholfner, of Xashville, has heretofore borne 
off this prize. 

The Wednesdav meetins; was called to order bv the 
chairman, Mr. C. H. Shoftner. The minutes of the last 
meeting were read and adopted. In the absence of the 
regular secretary, Mr. Alden Shoffner, Mr. Gr. E. Slater 
acted in his stead. The Historical Committee made 
their report. Some of them were not quite ready for 
publication, but promise us the long-expected book with- 
out fail by next fall. Good programmes were rendered 
both morning and afternoon. The speech of the day 
was that of Eev. Isham Burrow, of Arkansas, which was 
well received. ^' Fiddler Jim," of Lincoln County, ac- 
companied 1)y Miss Candis Smith, opened the exercises 
with some of their livelv music, which always calls forth 
a storm of applause. Mrs. W. P. Cooper favored us 
with some fine instrumental music, and little ]\Iaster 
Ollie Eeneo:ar covered himself with orlorv bv his fine ren- 



124 SJioffner History. 

dering of his famous piece about trials and tribulations 
resulting from his being left in charge of the baby. 
Mr. N. B. Burrow, also of Arkansas, gave some laugh- 
able reminiscences of his old school days among us, 
which brought back those old days very vividly to those 
who remembered the incidents to which he alluded. We 
hope Cousin Ney will try to be with us next time. Lit- 
tle Annie Jenkins sang a song in a very sweet and cred- 
itable manner. Miss Nina Shoffner also rendered some 
instrumental music. A fine dinner, such as the good 
Shoffner ladies are famous for preparing, was served 
at the noon hour. Quite a new lot of Shoffner babies 
were handed around for admiration of the relatives, and 
received the usual number of hugs and kisses generally 
allotted these little kinfolks. 

Wednesday night another programme was rendered. 
Among the number of pieces was a well-gotten-up reci- 
tation by Miss Lucile Farrar ; a sweet little piece by little 
Alberta Shoffner; a song by Alberta and Lucile Shoft'- 
ner ; a vocal solo by Howard Shoffner, " Then I'd Be 
Satisfied with Life ; " a vocal duet bv Lettie Shoffner 
and Euth Parker; Mrs. Tommy Shoffner, of Mulberry, 
gave some of her choice selections; Miss Emma Shoff- 
ner, of Haley, favored us with music; and our Lincoln 
County fiddlers were on hand from time to time with 
their jigs and reels. 

Thursday was the big barl^ecue day, and the great 
crowds thronged the grounds early and late. Again 
we were entertained with fine progrannnes well ren- 
dered. Prof. Marvin Kimbro, of Shelbvville, favored 
the audience with a fine song, and then delivered a most 
interesting speech, wliicli was listened to with close at- 



The Shoffner Reunions. 125 

tention. His beautiful bride was the observed of all 
observers and greatly admired. Instrumental duets 
were rendered by Mrs. Mary and Irene Mullins, Mrs. 
Clara Murchison and Miss Mamie Jenkins^ Mrs. Irene 
Mullins and Miss Nina Shoffner. Miss Nora Shoffner 
played some lively two-steps, after which were songs 
by Mrs. Tommy Shoffner, Miss Kate Jenkins, and lit- 
tle Annie Jenkins. 

The barbecue was a glorious success, and the tables 
fairly groaned beneath their loads. A committee of 
ladies — composed of Mrs. Melissa Shoffner, Mrs. Har- 
riet Miller, Mrs. Loula Johnson, Mrs. Mollie Prince, 
Miss Mollie Burrow, Mrs. Anna Shoffner, and several 
others — were appointed by the chairman to arrange the 
tables, and they did their work in a most perfect man- 
ner. After dinner, the Lutheran choir, led by Mrs. 
Bob Jenkins, rendered a fine anthem. 

On Thursday night there was another open-air con- 
cert. The committee from Flat Creek, led by Miss 
Nora Shoffner, gave us some good pieces, among which 
was a vocal solo by Miss Cora Shoffner and " Whip- 
poor-will '' sung and acted by Misses Kate and Stella 
Shoffner and Messrs. Eoscoe and Charlie Shoffner. The 
little Conger twins from Tullahoma sang a song, "Gypsy 
Girl,'^ very sweetly. Little Jessie Conger gave a reci- 
tation which was loudly applauded. Mr. Howard Shoff- 
ner and others sang " Down where the Cotton Blos- 
soms Grow.^^ There were songs by Willie Shoffner, of 
Haley, and Will. Shoffner, of Thompson's Creek. Let- 
tie Shoffner and Kuth Parker sang another vocal duet, 
" Sam and Tildy's Courtship," which took well, Euth 
making a very creditable " boy.'' Miss Lucile Farrar 



126 Shoffner History. 

gave another good recitation, and Ollie Eenegar (by 
request) recited his "" baby" piece again. A number of 
good letters from friends who could not be with us 
were read to the audience. An especially good one was 
from our friend and kinsman, Dr. A. P. Kyall, which 
was greatly enjoyed. 

Frida}^ morning was given up strictly to l)usiness. 
The same chairman and secretary were reappointed, 
also the same Executive Committee. The chair ap- 
pointed entertainment committees from Thompson's 
Creek, Flat Creek, Singleton, Butler's Creek, ]\Iulberry, 
Boonville, Haley, and Normandy. The time and place 
of next meetinsj was left to the Executive Committee. 
After singing of the " Doxology,'' the reunion ad- 
journed sine die. 



THE FIFTH REUNION, 1904, 

This was one of the most enjoyable of all the reunions 
we have had, although we missed from our number 
the familiar faces of some who always had been our old 
"stand-bys,'' most prominent among whom Avere our 
Lincohi C^ounty '^fiddler" and his interesting family, 
jolly Cousin Bob Small and Ids liousehold, also three 
of our charter members — Claude, zUden, and Sam. Shof- 
ner — the three originators of these UKvtings. Others, 
too, were conspicuous by tlieir absence; but most of the 
old members were faitlifuL ''Aunt Ellen Shofner " 
has never missed a meeting; and Cousin Milton Shof- 
ner, his good wife, and oiii' old friends — Jim TTolinan 
and wife, Dora — greet us each year with llieir pleasant 



The Shojfner Reunions. , 127 

words and smiles. These all come from Lincoln Count}', 
and have to get up lots of enthusiasm and courage to 
come so far and over such hills. The old-time tenters 
were with us, too; and it would not seem like the 
" Siioffner Keunion '" without the cheering presence of 
Thomas Sholfner, Mrs. Tinie Davis, and Gas. Shofner. 
Our Flat Creek tenters were not in evidence this time. 
We were glad to welcome our visiting cousins from Kan- 
sas in the persons of Mrs. Cora Carpenter and chil- 
dren — Alma, Mabel, and T. B. — and hope they were so 
pleasantly entertained that they will make this the 
" Mecca " of their pilgrimage time after time. 

The 17th, as usual, had been devoted to the task of 
getting settled; so the morning of August 18 found 
everything in full swing. After the order of business, 
we had a varied programme of music, both instrumental 
and vocal. After dinner, we enjoyed a fine talk from 
Mr. Marvin Kimbro. Mrs. Armstrong, of Nashville, 
who was present by special invitation, played a difficult 
duet with Miss Mamie Jenkins. Then followed a song 
by Miss Nina Shoffner and a recitation by Sadie Shof- 
ner. 

The entertainment Thursdaj^ night consisted of a 
song, "Meet Me in St. Louis," by Will. Shofner, of 
Haley; song by four boys — Eoy, Will., and Howard 
Shofner and Eldridge Bomar — followed by a speech 
from Eldridge Bomar. Then came a song by Miss 
Ethel Parker and a recitation by Sadie Shofner. We 
w^ere next highly entertained by a talk from Mrs. Arm- 
strong, followed by a quartet, " The Husband's Mis- 
take," or " Muffs," sung by Roy Shofner, tenor ; How- 
ard Shofner, bass; Miss Argie Kimbro, alto; and Miss 



128 Shoffner History. 

Mamie Jenkins, soprano; closing with a song by the 
audience, " God Be with You Till We Meet Again." 

On Friday morning a large crowd was in attendance. 
There were a good many visitors, among whom was our 
old friend, John W. Euth, also Mr. Hugh L. David- 
son, Professor Hanna and his accomplished wife, and 
others we do not just now call to mind. The pro- 
gramme was quite a long one, but seemed to meet the 
approbation of the audience, if we judge by long and 
loud applause. Miss Josie Blanton, one of our young 
musicians, of whom we are all justly proud and who 
had been most kind in favoring us with fine selections 
of music all along, opened the exercises with an instru- 
mental solo; and her sister, Mrs. Pearl Piers, of Flor- 
ida, rendered a beautiful song. Next came a recitation 
of great merit by Miss Julia Eyall, followed by an in- 
strumental duet by Misses Julia Eyall and Josie Blan- 
ton. Then came in succession recitations bv Miss Perry 
Parker and little Clyde McMillan; song by two little 
girls, Lois and Pearl Shofner; song by iVnnie Jenkins; 
song (which produced an encore), " Eobby Shafto,'' by 
Nat., Sadie, and Georgia Shofner, Nat. and Sadie sing- 
ing for encore " The Milkmaid.'' Just before dinner 
came the quartet, " The Family Doctor," sung by El- 
dridge Bomar, bass; Howard Shofner, tenor; Miss Ma- 
mie Jenkins, soprano; and Miss Argie Kimbro, alto. 

The afternoon exercises were opened by a speech from 
Austin Shofner; then a song by Miss Kate Jenkins; 
after wliich the play, " Strike of the Working Girls," 
was rendered. The programme was closed with the 
cantata, " The Jolly Picnic Party," which was pla3^ed 
as had been taught by Mrs. Armstrong. The girls and 



TJie Shoffner Reunions. 129 

boys who took part were all Shofners, with few excep- 
tions. It was finely rendered and highly enjoyed by all. 

There was to have been a programme Friday night, 
but a storm of wind and rain put a stop to any further 
proceedings. 

On Saturday there were very few who ventured out 
to the business meeting, but enough were present to 
transact the necessary ])usiness. The same committees 
were left standing. The time of meeting for 1905 will 
be determined, as usual, by the Executive Committee 
and given out in their annual circular, whicli will come 
out early in the summer months. 

THE SIXTH REUNION, 1905, 

Just before this book leaves the press, circuhirs reach 
us announcing the " Shoffner Eeunion " to be held on 
Thompson's Creek, four and one-half miles south of 
Haley, Bedford County, Tenn., in the beech grove of 
Col. William Shofner, now the oldest living descendant, 
beginning on Tuesday, August 15, 1905, and continuing 
four days. 

The lineal descendants of Michael Shofner (born 
in Germany in 1721, and died in North Carolina, U. 
S. A., in 1800), their husbands and wives, will 
hold their annual reunion; and the invitation is to 
every one of the above. No difference what name you 
bear, come. Come to spend the four days and nights 
with us on the camp ground. Bring your camping 
outfit and the records of the family that you may have. 
If you cannot come, write a letter telling of yourself 
and family. 



130 Shoffner History. 

August 15 will be devoted to putting up tents, fam- 
ily meetings, and such other works as may be essential to 
the welfare of the camp; August 16, reports of Com- 
mittee on Record; August 17, reports of Committees on 
Manuscript; August 18, reading of letters from absent 
ones, election of committees for the year 1906, and all 
other business that may come before the family. 

Executive Committee — T. A. Shofner, Haley; J. B. 
Shofner, Flat Creek; J. W. Jenkins, Shelbyville; J. M. 
Shofner, Shelbyville; H. T. Parker, Eaus; and H. L. 
Shofner, Shelbyville. 

Committee on Entertainment — ^Irs. Vinnie C. Shof- 
ner, Shelbyville; Mrs. Lula Johnson, Shelbyville; Miss 
Mamie Jenkins, Shelbyville; Joe Shofner, Haley; Miss 
Mary Ilooser, Haley ; Robert Jenkins, Shelbyville ; 
Haskell Shofner, Shelbyville; Mr. and Mrs. W. P. 
Cooper, Shelbyville; Misses Ella and Daisy Parker, 
Raus; Miss Stella Shofner, Flat Creek; Miss Julia 
Ryall, Slielbyville ; Miss Josie Blanton, Shelbyville ; Mr. 
W. M. Cortner, Normandy; Mrs. Grace McMillan, Shel- 
byville; Miss Nina Shoffner, Shelbyville; Edward 
Maupin, Shelbyville; J. C. Shofner, Mulberry; Miss 
Candis Smith, Mulberry; Mrs. Tommy Shofner, Boon- 
ville; Nora Small, Boonville; Mrs. Dora Holiiian, Boon- 
ville; and Mrs. Emma Maupin, Shelbyville. The 
above conmiittee will make out the programme and give 
it to the master of ceremonies. 

Committee on Supplies — Sam. Johnson, Shelbyville; 
H. T. Parker, Raus; H. L. Shofner, Shelbyville, 
Committee on Water — J. W. Jenkins. 
Committee on Grounds — Sam. D. Shofner, Nashville; 



Tlie Shoffner Reunions. 131 

Col. William Shofner, Shelbyville; and Chris. H. Shof- 
ner, Shelbyville. 

Committee on Finance — James B. Shofner, Shelby- 
ville; Monroe Shofner, Shelbyville; J. M. Shofner, 
Shelbyville; Gaston Shofner, Nashville; J. B. Shofner, 
Haley; A. F. Shofner, Haley; and H. T. Parker, Raus. 

The circular states further that Committeeman C. ]j. 
Shoffner, one of nine on record, has his manuscript in 
the hands of the printer; and the book will be out by 
the time we meet, and will be ready for distribution. 
This is about one-ninth of the work commenced five 
vears aeo. There are four others of the committee 
about ready to print, but will not be out in time for this 
reunion. 

The Executive Committee and the family resident 
near here wish all to come and take part in this family 
gathering. Ample provision will be made for those liv- 
ing at a distance. Come all. Parties leaving train at 
Haley, write J. B. Shofner, Haley ; parties leaving train 
at Shelbyville, address J. M. Shofner, Shelbyville, Tenn. 



BRARY OF CONGRESS % 




021 392 140 A 



